ENGR 111

Derived Dimensions and Units

 Dimension SI Unit

Electric current I ampere A

• Seven fundamental
dimensions Light intensity i candela cd

Amount N mole mol

• Seven base units Temperature  kelvin K

Mass M kilogram kg

Length L meter m

All others are derived Time T second s

Derived Dimensions and Units Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 2

Examples of Derived Dimensions
m L
velocity [] { }
s T
velocity { } L1 T -1

m L
acceleration [] 2 {} 2
s T
1 -2
acceleration {  } L T
Derived Dimensions and Units Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 3
Dimensionless Units
• Angular measures are dimensionless.

• An angle in radians is defined as the length of the arc (S) of a circle

bounded by an angle (θ) divided by the radius (r) of the circle.

• Length divided by length is

dimensionless, but in this
special case has units.

Derived Dimensions and Units Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 4

 5 (of the 22 SI sanctioned) Derived Units
Energy [=] joule [J] Power [=] watt [W]
1 J ≡ (1 N) (1 m) 1W≡1J/s

Force [=] newton [N]

 m 
1 N  1 kg  1 2 
 s 

Pressure = pascal [Pa] Voltage [=] volt [V]

1N 1W
1 Pa  1V 
1m 2 1A
Derived Dimensions and Units Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 5
Example Dimensions & Units
• Express the fundamental dimensions
of the pascal using the abbreviations
for mass (M), Length (L), and time (T)
with appropriate powers.

• First, recall that the pascal is a unit of

pressure, defined as Pa = N/m2

• Also recall that F = ma

Derived Dimensions and Units Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 6
Example (continued) Dimensions & Units
kg m
N [=]
s2
kg m
N s 2 kg
Pa [=] 2 [=] 2
[=]
m m m s2
M 1 -1 -2
Pa {=} {=} M L T
L T2

Derived Dimensions and Units Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 7

What is expected of
you…
• Identify a quantity as a derived dimension
or derived unit, in mathematical or
shorthand notation
• Given the base units of a quantity,
determine the fundamental dimensions
• Given the fundamental dimensions of a
quantity, determine the base SI units
• Be able to express the five most common
derived quantities (N, J, W, Pa, V) in terms
of both fundamental dimensions and
base SI units
• Identify when a quantity is dimensionless

Derived Dimensions and Units Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 8

 Equation Laws
•Plus Law
•dimensions must all be the same
•Units must all be the same

•Per Law
•Doesn’t matter as long as
YOU KEEP TRACK OF THEM
Plus Law - Dimensions
Every term in an equation must have the same
dimensions.
d d0  v0 t  a t2

L L 2
L {} L  T  2T
T T

L {} L L L
Equation Laws Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 10
 Plus Law - Unit Law
Every term in an equation must have same units
to add and subtract.
2
d d0  v0t at

ft ft 2
d [] miles  s  2 s
s s
Equation Laws Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 11
Corollary to Unit Law
Dimensional Consistency
does not equal
Unit Consistency
ft ft 2
m [] miles  s  2 s
s s

L {} L L L
Equation Laws Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 12
 Per Law
Multiplying or dividing different dimensions and/or units is ok

IF YOU KEEP TRACK OF THEM

kg
kg

2 2
m m kg m kg L M
   3
{} 3
Amp s s s As T A
 Per Law
Multiplying or dividing different dimensions and/or units is ok

IF YOU KEEP TRACK OF THEM

kg
kg

2 2
m m kg m kg L M
   3
{} 3
Amp s s s As T A

VOLT
What is expected of
you…
Given an expression, determine if that
expression is a valid using plus law, unit law,
and per law.
For an expression that is valid using the plus
law, unit law, and per law, determine the
dimensions or units of an unknown quantity.

Equation Laws Thinking Like an Engineer 2e 15