Question
Physics Question on Dimensional Analysis
A length-scale (ℓ) depends on the permittivity (ε) of a dielectric material, Boltzmann constant (kB), the absolute temperature (T), the number per unit volume (n) of certain charged particles, and the charge (q) carried by each of the particles. Which of the following expressions (s) for ℓ is (are) dimensionally correct?
A
ℓ=(εkBTnq2)
B
ℓ=(nq2εkBT)
C
ℓ=(εn2/3kBTq2)
D
ℓ=(sn1/3kBTq2)
Answer
ℓ=(sn1/3kBTq2)
Explanation
Solution
ℓαεakbTcndqe
(A) ℓ=M−1A2T4L−3M1L2T−2θ−1θL−3×A2T2
ℓ=L21=L1
(B) ℓ=nq2εkBT
=L−3A1T2(M−1A2T4L−3)M1L2T−2θ−1θ
=L2=L
(C) ℓ=M−1A2T4L−3L−2M1L2T−2θ−1θA2T2
(D) ℓ=M−1A2T4L−3L−1M+1L2T−2θ−1θA2T2
=L2=L
So, the correct option is (D): ℓ=(sn1/3kBTq2)