Dimensional analysis MI context

A question is this type if and only if it asks the student to use dimensional analysis to find unknown exponents in a proposed formula involving moment of inertia, angular quantities, mass, length, and/or gravity.

3 questions · Moderate -0.1

6.01a Dimensions: M, L, T notation6.01c Dimensional analysis: error checking6.01d Unknown indices: using dimensions
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
AQA M3 2014 June Q2
6 marks Standard +0.3
2 A rod, of length \(x \mathrm {~m}\) and moment of inertia \(I \mathrm {~kg} \mathrm {~m} ^ { 2 }\), is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a fixed smooth horizontal axis through one end. When the rod is hanging at rest, its lower end receives an impulse of magnitude \(J\) Ns, which is just sufficient for the rod to complete full revolutions. It is thought that there is a relationship between \(J , x , I\), the acceleration due to gravity \(g \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\) and a dimensionless constant \(k\), such that $$J = k x ^ { \alpha } I ^ { \beta } g ^ { \gamma }$$ where \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\) are constants.
Find the values of \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\) for which this relationship is dimensionally consistent.
[0pt] [6 marks]
OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2024 June Q2
11 marks Moderate -0.8
2
  1. Find the dimensions of energy. The moment of inertia, \(I\), of a rigid body rotating about a fixed axis is measured in \(\mathrm { kg } \mathrm { m } ^ { 2 }\).
  2. State the dimensions of \(I\). The kinetic energy, \(E\), of a rigid body rotating about a fixed axis is given by the formula \(\mathrm { E } = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \mathrm { I } \omega ^ { 2 }\),
    where \(\omega\) is the angular velocity (angle per unit time) of the rigid body.
  3. Show that the formula for \(E\) is dimensionally consistent. When a rigid body is pivoted from one of its end points and allowed to swing freely, it forms a pendulum. The period, \(t\), of the pendulum is the time taken for it to complete one oscillation. A student conjectures the formula \(\mathrm { t } = \left. \mathrm { k } ( \mathrm { mg } ) ^ { \alpha } \mathrm { r } ^ { \beta } \right| ^ { \gamma }\),
    where
    The moment of inertia of a thin uniform rigid rod of mass 1.5 kg and length 0.8 m , rotating about one of its endpoints, is \(0.32 \mathrm {~kg} \mathrm {~m} ^ { 2 }\). The student suspends such a rod from one of its endpoints and allows it to swing freely. The student measures the period of this pendulum and finds that it is 1.47 seconds.
  4. Using the formula conjectured by the student, determine the value of \(k\).
AQA Further AS Paper 2 Mechanics 2018 June Q3
5 marks Standard +0.3
3 The kinetic energy, \(E\), of a compound pendulum is given by $$E = \frac { 1 } { 2 } I \omega ^ { 2 }$$ where \(\omega\) is the angular speed and \(I\) is a quantity called the moment of inertia.
3
  1. Show that for this formula to be dimensionally consistent then \(I\) must have dimensions \(M L ^ { 2 }\), where \(M\) represents mass and \(L\) represents length.
    [0pt] [2 marks]
    3
  2. The time, \(T\), taken for one complete swing of a pendulum is thought to depend on its moment of inertia, \(I\), its weight, \(W\), and the distance, \(h\), of the centre of mass of the pendulum from the point of suspension. The formula being proposed is $$T = k I ^ { \alpha } W ^ { \beta } h ^ { \gamma }$$ where \(k\) is a dimensionless constant. Determine the values of \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\).