UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

Centre
Course
Year
Trimester

:
:
:
:

Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS)

Foundation in Science
Year 1
Trimester 1

Session
Unit Code
Unit Title

: 201506
: FHSC 1014
: Mechanics

Tutorial 1: Introduction
1.

Express the following sum with the correct number of significant figures:
1.80 m + 142.5 cm + 5.34 105 m
[Answer: 3.76 m]

2.

The variables x, v, and a have the dimensions of L, L/T, and L/T2, respectively. These
variables are related by an equation that has the form
vn = 2ax,
where n is an integer constant (1, 2, 3, etc.) without dimensions.
What must be the value of n, so that both sides of the equation have the same
dimensions? Explain your reasoning.
[Answer: 2]

3.

Newtons law of universal gravitation is represented by

GMm
F 2
r
where F is the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by one small object on
another, M and m are the masses of the objects, and r is the distance between the two
objects.
Given that force has the SI units kg m s2, what are the SI units of the proportionality
constant G?
[Answer: m3 kg1 s2]

4.

The speed of ocean waves, v depends on their wavelength, (measured in meters) and
the gravitational field strength g (measured in m s2) in this way:
v = Kpgq
where K is a dimensionless constant.
Find the values of the p and q.
[Answer: , ]

5.

Drawing below shows a person looking at a building on top of which an antenna is

mounted. The horizontal distance between the persons eyes and the building is 85.0
m.

In diagram (a), the person is looking at the base of the antenna, and his line of sight
makes an angle of 35.0 with the horizontal. In diagram (b) the person is looking at
the top of the antenna, and his line of sight makes an angle of 38.0 with the
horizontal. How tall is the antenna?
[Answer: 6.89 m]
6.

Two points are given in polar coordinates by (r, ) = (2.00 m, 50.0) and (r, ) = (5.00
m, 50.0), respectively. What is the distance between them?
[Answer: 5.69 m]
7.
(b)

(a)
Discuss briefly whether in general the method of dimensional checking
can positively confirm that an equation is correct.
The flow of a liquid density , round an obstacle of width b, changes from
streamline to turbulence when the critical speed v is reached. If is the
viscosity of the liquid and given their relationship as below:
C
v
b
where C is a dimensionless constant.
Deduce the dimension of .
(Past Year Paper: Sept10)
[Answer: (b) ML1T1]

8.

Given that Newtons law of universal gravitation is represented by

Gm1 m2
F
r2
Determine the dimension of G, namely the universal gravitational constant.
(Past Year Paper: Sept11)
[Answer: L3M1T2]

9.

For an object moving with uniform acceleration, the velocity v is given by the
equation
v2 = p +qx,
where p and q are constants with dimensions and x is displacement.
Find the dimensions of the term q.
(Past Year Paper: Sept12)
[Answer: LT2]

10.

The equation of de Broglie wavelength, is

h

mv
where
h = Planck constant
m = mass
v = speed
(a)
What are the dimensions for Planck constant?
(b)
Write the SI unit of Planck constant.
(Past Year Paper: Dec12)
[Answer: (a) ML2T1; (b) kg m2 s1]

11.

The velocity of sound in a medium of density is given by the equation:

k
v

where k is a constant.
Deduce the dimensions of k and state its unit in terms of SI base units.
(Past Year Paper: Apr13)
[Answer: ML1T2, kg m1 s2]

12.

Suppose the speed of a sail-boat is given by an equation

vboat k ql
where
k is a dimensionless constant
q is a constant with dimension
l is the length of the boat
Find the dimensions of the term q.
(Past Year Paper: Sept13)
[Answer: LT2]

13.

Q represents thermal energy and is given by the expression:

Q = mc.
where m, c and represent mass, specific heat capacity and change in temperature
of matter, respectively.
(a)
What are the SI base units of specific heat capacity, c?
(b)
If the quantity Y is given by Y c , what are the SI base units of the
quantity Y?
(Past Year Paper: Dec13)
[Answer: (a) m2 K1 s2; (b) m s1]