More practice questions

  1. Q4. The speed v of sound in a medium depends on its bulk modulus B, [M L T], and its density ρ. Use dimensions to find the form of v.

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    Assume v = k Bx ρy: [L T] = [M L T]x [M L]y. Mass: 0 = x + y. Time: −1 = −2x, so x = ½ and y = −½. Length: −x − 3y = −½ + 3/2 = 1, as it should be. So v = k√(B/ρ), the form of the speed of sound.

  2. Q5. Convert G = 6.67 × 10 N m kg into CGS units, cm s g (NCERT Exercise 1.2(d), page 10).

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    [G] = [M L T], so n2 = 6.67 × 10 × (1 kg/1 g) × (1 m/1 cm) × (1 s/1 s) = 6.67 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 6.67 × 10. So G = 6.67 × 10 cm s g.

  3. Q6. The frequency ν of a vibrating string depends on its length l, its tension F and its mass per unit length μ. Find the form of ν.

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    Assume ν = k lx Fy μz: [T] = [L]x [M L T]y [M L]z. Time: −1 = −2y, so y = ½. Mass: 0 = y + z, so z = −½. Length: 0 = x + y − z, so x = −1. Hence ν = (k/l)√(F/μ); for the lowest note of a string fixed at both ends, theory gives k = ½.