Question

Which of these equations is dimensionally correct?

Answer 1

Answer: first and third.

Explanation:

An equation is dimensionally correct if the units are the same in both sides of the equation.

first, let's define the units used:

{m} = kg

{v} = m/s

{F} = kg*m/s^2

{x} = m

{t} = s

{a} = m/s^2

Now, let's analyze each option:

1) m*v/t = F

in the left side the units are:

{m}*{v}/{t} =  kg*(m/s)*(1/s) = kg*m/s^2

And as is written above, these are the units of F, so this is correct.

2) x*v^2 = F*(x^3/x^2)

This is more trivial, in the right side we can see an F, that has mass units (kg)  and in the left side we have x and v, and we know that none of these have mass units, so this expression is not correct.

3) xt= vt^2+at^3

the units in the right side are:

{x}*{t] = m*s

in the right side are:

{v}*{t}^2 + {a}*{t}^2 = (m/s)*s^2 + (m/s^2)*s^3 = m*s + m*s

So in both sides of the equation we have the same units, then this equation is dimensionally correct.