Find exponents with partial constraints

Questions where some exponents are given or fixed (e.g., v² is given, or one exponent is expressed in terms of another) and dimensional analysis is used to find the remaining unknown exponents.

9 questions · Standard +0.4

6.01a Dimensions: M, L, T notation6.01b Units vs dimensions: relationship6.01c Dimensional analysis: error checking6.01d Unknown indices: using dimensions
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OCR Further Mechanics AS 2018 June Q3
8 marks Standard +0.3
3 A particle moves in a straight line with constant acceleration. Its initial and final velocities are \(u\) and \(v\) respectively and at time \(t\) its displacement from its starting position is \(s\). An equation connecting these quantities is \(s = k \left( u ^ { \alpha } + v ^ { \beta } \right) t ^ { \gamma }\), where \(k\) is a dimensionless constant.
  1. Use dimensional analysis to find the values of \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\).
  2. By considering the case where the acceleration is zero, determine the value of \(k\).
OCR Further Mechanics AS 2022 June Q6
10 marks Standard +0.8
6 A particle moves in a straight line with constant acceleration \(a\). Its initial velocity is \(u\) and at time \(t\) its velocity is \(v\). It is assumed that \(v\) depends only on \(u , a\) and \(t\).
  1. Assuming that this dependency is of the form \(\mathrm { u } ^ { \alpha } \mathrm { a } ^ { \beta } \mathrm { t } ^ { \gamma }\), use dimensional analysis to find \(\alpha\) and \(\gamma\) in terms of \(\beta\).
  2. By noting that the graph of \(v\) against \(t\) must be a straight line, determine the possible values of \(\beta\). You may assume that the units of the given quantities are the corresponding SI units.
  3. By considering \(v\) when \(t = 0\) seconds and when \(t = 1\) second, derive the equation of motion \(\mathrm { v } = \mathrm { u } + \mathrm { at }\), explaining your reasoning.
OCR Further Mechanics AS 2020 November Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
5 A particle of mass \(m\) moves in a straight line with constant acceleration \(a\). Its initial and final velocities are \(u\) and \(v\) respectively and its final displacement from its starting position is \(s\). In order to model the motion of the particle it is suggested that the velocity is given by the equation \(\mathrm { v } ^ { 2 } = \mathrm { pu } ^ { \alpha } + \mathrm { qa } ^ { \beta } \mathrm { s } ^ { \gamma }\) where \(p\) and \(q\) are dimensionless constants.
  1. Explain why \(\alpha\) must equal 2 for the equation to be dimensionally consistent.
  2. By using dimensional analysis, determine the values of \(\beta\) and \(\gamma\).
  3. By considering the case where \(s = 0\), determine the value of \(p\).
  4. By multiplying both sides of the equation by \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } m\), and using the numerical values of \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\), determine the value of \(q\).
OCR FM1 AS 2021 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2 A particle moves in a straight line with constant acceleration. Its initial and final velocities are \(u\) and \(v\) respectively and at time \(t\) its displacement from its starting position is \(s\). An equation connecting these quantities is \(s = k \left( u ^ { \alpha } + v ^ { \beta } \right) t ^ { \gamma }\), where \(k\) is a dimensionless constant.
  1. Use dimensional analysis to find the values of \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\).
  2. By considering the case where the acceleration is zero, determine the value of \(k\).
AQA Further Paper 3 Mechanics 2021 June Q4
4 marks Standard +0.3
A spring has stiffness \(k\)
  1. Determine the dimensions of \(k\) [1 mark]
  2. One end of the spring is attached to a fixed point. A particle of mass \(m\) kg is attached to the other end of the spring. The particle is set into vertical motion and moves up and down, taking \(t\) seconds to complete one oscillation. A possible model for \(t\) is $$t = pm^a g^b k^c$$ where \(p\) is a dimensionless constant and \(g \text{ m s}^{-2}\) is the acceleration due to gravity. Find the values of \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) for this model to be dimensionally consistent. [3 marks]
AQA Further Paper 3 Mechanics 2024 June Q5
4 marks Standard +0.3
When a sphere of radius \(r\) metres is falling at \(v\) m s\(^{-1}\) it experiences an air resistance force \(F\) newtons. The force is to be modelled as $$F = kr^\alpha v^\beta$$ where \(k\) is a constant with units kg m\(^{-2}\)
  1. State the dimensions of \(F\) [1 mark]
  2. Use dimensional analysis to find the value of \(\alpha\) and the value of \(\beta\) [3 marks]
OCR MEI Further Mechanics Major 2022 June Q2
4 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_2} A particle is projected with speed \(v\) from a point O on horizontal ground. The angle of projection is \(\theta\) above the horizontal. The particle passes, in succession, through two points A and B, each at a height \(h\) above the ground and a distance \(d\) apart, as shown in the diagram. You are given that \(d^2 = \frac{v^\alpha \sin^2 2\theta}{g^\beta} - \frac{8h^2 \cos^2 \theta}{g}\). Use dimensional analysis to find \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\). [4]
OCR MEI Further Mechanics Major 2023 June Q5
7 marks Standard +0.3
A particle P of mass \(m\) kg is projected with speed \(u \text{ m s}^{-1}\) along a rough horizontal surface. During the motion of P, a constant frictional force of magnitude \(F\) N acts on P. When the velocity of P is \(v \text{ m s}^{-1}\), it experiences a force of magnitude \(kv\) N due to air resistance, where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Determine the dimensions of \(k\). [3]
At time \(T\) s after projection P comes to rest. A formula approximating the value of \(T\) is $$T = \frac{mu}{F} - \frac{kmu^2}{2F^2} + \frac{1}{3}k^2m^{\alpha}u^{\beta}F^{\gamma}.$$
  1. Use dimensional analysis to find \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) and \(\gamma\). [4]
OCR FM1 AS 2021 June Q3
9 marks Standard +0.3
A particle of mass \(m\) moves in a straight line with constant acceleration \(a\). Its initial and final velocities are \(u\) and \(v\) respectively and its final displacement from its starting position is \(s\). In order to model the motion of the particle it is suggested that the velocity is given by the equation $$v^2 = pu^{\alpha} + qa^{\beta}s^{\gamma}$$ where \(p\) and \(q\) are dimensionless constants.
  1. Explain why \(\alpha\) must equal 2 for the equation to be dimensionally consistent. [2]
  2. By using dimensional analysis, determine the values of \(\beta\) and \(\gamma\). [4]
  3. By considering the case where \(s = 0\), determine the value of \(p\). [1]
  4. By multiplying both sides of the equation by \(\frac{1}{2}m\), and using the numerical values of \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) and \(\gamma\), determine the value of \(q\). [2]