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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Dimensional Formula of Pressure

Dimensional Formula of Pressure

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The perpendicular force per unit area, or the stress generated at a point within a defined space, is termed as the pressure in the physical sciences. The quantity of pressure is scalar. It connects the normal force applied on the surface to the vector area element (a vector normal to the surface). The SI unit of pressure is Pascal (Pa), but it has several other units like N/m2 or psi. The types of pressure are atmospheric pressure, absolute pressure, differential pressure, and gauge pressure.

Derived and Fundamental Quantities

The independent quantities are termed as fundamental quantities. Units like C.G.S., M.K.S., F.P.S., and SI are used to measure such quantities termed as fundamental units.

The derived quantities are the quantities derived from the fundamental quantities. The units used to measure these quantities are termed derived units.

Dimension and Dimensional Analysis

The dimension is the expanded fundamental units, elevated to obtain one unit of a physical quantity.

Dimensional analysis is termed as the process of adjudicating the dimensions of physical quantities to check their relationships. The quantities can be stated as a relation of the fundamental dimensions, which are independent of numerical multiples and constants. It not only keeps the units the same but also helps in performing the mathematical calculations smoothly.

Application of dimensional analysis

  • To ensure the accuracy and consistency of dimensional equations

  • To determine the relationship between physical quantities in physical processes

  • To convert through one unit system to another

Dimensional Formula

The dimensional formula of a derived quantity is an equation that shows the degrees to which the fundamental units must be increased to acquire one unit of that quantity. The term, MaLbTc is known as the dimensional formula, and the termed dimensions are the exponents a, b, and c.

Pressure

Pressure is essentially characterised as the measure of force per unit area. The central issue when attempting to comprehend pressure is to ponder what occurs on the nuclear level in a fluid or gas at high tension. The constituent atoms are continually moving near, and this implies they are catching the dividers of the holder constantly. The more they move (because of higher temperatures), the more they find the dividers of the compartment and the higher the strain.

Formula

How much power is applied (push) on a surface for each unit region is characterised as pressure. It can likewise be characterised as the proportion of the power to the space (over which the power is acting).

P = F/A

Units of Pressure

There are different units to depict pressure. For pressure, the SI framework’s essential unit is Pascal (Pa), which is N/m2 (One Newton per square metre). 

In Formula, we can express it as

Pa = N/m2 = kg/(m×s2 )

The SI unit of tension is the pascal (Pa).

Dimensional Formula for Pressure

The pressure is termed as force or thrust acting perpendicularly over the unit area of the surface, which is denoted by ‘P.’ Therefore, 

P = F/A.

where 

P: Pressure

F: Force 

A: Unit area 

The dimensional formula for the pressure can be defined as:

[M1L-1T-2]

where

M: Mass

L: Length

T: Time

Formula Derivation

Pressure = Force/Area. … i

  • (Force = Mass x Acceleration); (Acceleration = Velocity / Time)

Therefore, the dimensional formula of force is equal to [M] x [LT-2] i.e. [MLT-2] … ii

  • The dimensional formula of area: [M0L2T0] i.e. [L2] … iii

From the values from equations (ii) and (iii)

P= Force/ Area

[MLT-2] x [L2]-1 = [M1L-1T-2]

Hence, the dimensional formula of pressure can be written as [M1L-1T-2].

Drawbacks of Dimensional Analysis

  • This approach is incapable of determining dimensionless quantities, neither can this approach calculate the proportionality constant. They can only be discovered through experimentation. 

  • Trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions fail to show any relevance to this approach.

  • Its usage limits on the physical quantities have more than three physical qualities.

  • The system is limited to defining the equations of the proportionality constant for a few cases.

  • This method fails in obtaining expressions if any of the sides of the equation has the addition or subtraction of physical quantities.

Conclusion

The pressure is a resultant of the force acting perpendicular over a surface unit area, which can be expressed through the dimensional formula defining its aspects of mass, length and timing. The dimensional analysis and the rules of homogeneity set up the grounds to compare the quantities of similar dimensions. It has various applications in the field of physics with few sets of limitations. The pressure exerted by the layers of earth is termed atmospheric pressure, which ranges low to high depending upon the various physical phenomena valuing 101,325 Pa at sea level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

What is the law of homogeneity of dimensions?

Ans. The law of homogeneity of dimensions states that to achieve an accurate equation describing the relationship b...Read full

What are dimensionless quantities?

Ans. There are two types of dimensionless quantities, one with the unit, the other without the unit. ...Read full

What is the difference between dimensional and dimensionless variables?

Ans. Physical quantities with specific dimensions but no set value are referred to as dimensional variables. Veloci...Read full

What is dimensional analysis?

Ans: The conditions of comparison between two quantities set up the rule of dimensional analysis, based on the idea ...Read full

What is atmospheric pressure?

Ans. The layers of the air present around the surface of the earth exerting pressure on the surface area of the ear...Read full

Ans. The law of homogeneity of dimensions states that to achieve an accurate equation describing the relationship between physical quantities. The dimensions of terms falling on each side of the equation must be the same, i.e. LHS=RHS.

Ans. There are two types of dimensionless quantities, one with the unit, the other without the unit.

  • Quantities with no units and no dimensions: e, sin, cos, tan, and other pure numbers.
  • Quantities with units and no dimensions: The radian – a unit of measurement for angular displacement. The constant joule – joule/calorie, etc.

Ans. Physical quantities with specific dimensions but no set value are referred to as dimensional variables. Velocity, acceleration, force, work, power, etc. are the following examples, whereas the physical quantities having neither dimensions nor set value are referred to as dimensionless variables, for e.g. specific gravity, refractive index, friction coefficient, and Poisson’s ratio. 

Ans: The conditions of comparison between two quantities set up the rule of dimensional analysis, based on the idea that two quantities with the same dimensions can only be compared. Comparing kinetic and potential energy is possible as they have similar dimensions. However, the dimensions between kinetic energy and force are not the same, comparison is not possible.

 

Ans. The layers of the air present around the surface of the earth exerting pressure on the surface area of the earth is called atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure ranges from low to depending upon the factors like temperature, topology, etc. It is determined by a mercury barometer.

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