Numford

MechanicsClass 11, Oscillations

Dimensional formula of Torsional constant

[M L2 T-2]

SymbolC SI unitnewton metre per radian (N m/rad)

Torque per unit twist. The radian has no dimension, so it matches torque and work.

Derivation

How to get the dimensional formula of torsional constant

  1. Start from the definition: torsional constant = torque / angle.
  2. velocity = length / time, so velocity is [L] / [T] = [L T-1].
  3. acceleration = velocity / time, so acceleration is [L T-1] / [T] = [L T-2].
  4. force = mass × acceleration, so force is [M] × [L T-2] = [M L T-2].
  5. torque = force × length, so torque is [M L T-2] × [L] = [M L2 T-2].
  6. angle = length / length, so angle is [L] / [L] = [M0 L0 T0].
  7. Put in the dimension of each part: [M L2 T-2] / [M0 L0 T0].
  8. Add the powers of each base quantity: [M L2 T-2].
Same dimensions

Quantities with the dimensions [M L² T⁻²]

Equal dimensions do not make them the same quantity. Compare torsional constant with the others in the full grid.

Practice

Three questions on torsional constant

1Which of these has the same dimensions as torsional constant?

2What is the SI unit of torsional constant?

3Which one has different dimensions from the others?

Questions

Torsional constant: quick answers

What is the dimensional formula of torsional constant?

The dimensional formula of torsional constant is [M L² T⁻²]. It comes from torsional constant = torque / angle.

What is the SI unit of torsional constant?

The SI unit of torsional constant is the newton metre per radian (N m/rad).

Which quantities have the same dimensions as torsional constant?

Torsional constant shares [M L² T⁻²] with work, energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, torque, gravitational potential energy, strain energy, heat. Equal dimensions do not make them the same quantity.

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