If R and L represent the resistance and inductance respectively, then give the dimension of $\dfrac{L}{R}$ is:
A) \[{M^0}{L^0}{T^{ - 1}}\]
B) \[{M^0}{L^1}{T^0}\]
C) \[{M^0}{L^0}{T^1}\]
D) Cannot be represented in terms of $M,L$ and $T$
Answer
301.8k+ views
Hint: Although known that the time constant of an $L - R$ circuit is given by $\tau = \dfrac{L}{R}$, but before we use that approach, it is important to find the dimensions of the individual elements and combining them to find the dimension of $\dfrac{L}{R}.$
Formulae used:
$E = \dfrac{1}{2}L{i^2}$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $L$ is the inductance and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$.
$E = {i^2}RT$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $R$ is the resistance, $T$ is the time and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$.
$\tau = \dfrac{L}{R}$
Where $\tau $ is the time constant of an $L - R$ circuit, $R$ is the resistance of the circuit and $L$ is the inductance of the circuit.
Complete step by step solution:
To find the dimensions of inductance, we will first find an equation that equates inductance with a quantity whose dimensions are well known and easily calculated, that is,
$E = \dfrac{1}{2}L{i^2}$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $L$ is the inductance and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$ . Therefore,
$ \Rightarrow L = \dfrac{{2E}}{{{i^2}}}$
Since dimensions of $E = ML{T^{ - 2}}$ and dimension of $i = A$ , therefore the dimensional formula of inductance is ,
\[L = \dfrac{{M{\text{ }}L\;{T^ - }^2\;}}{{{A^2}}} = M{\text{ }}L\;{T^ - }^2\;{A^ - }^2\] $...\left( 1 \right)$
Similarly in the case of the resistance of the circuit
$E = {i^2}RT$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $R$ is the resistance, $T$ is the time and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$ . Therefore,
$ \Rightarrow R = \dfrac{E}{{{i^2}t}}$
Since dimensions of $E = ML{T^{ - 2}}$ and dimension of $i = A$ , therefore the dimensional formula of inductance is ,
$R = \dfrac{{ML{T^{ - 2}}}}{{{A^2}T}} = ML{T^{ - 3}}{A^{ - 2}}$
To find the dimensional formula of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] we simply multiply the individual dimensions, that is,
$ \Rightarrow \dim \left( {\dfrac{L}{R}} \right) = \dfrac{{ML{T^ - }^2{A^ - }^2}}{{ML{T^{ - 3}}{A^{ - 2}}}}$
$ \Rightarrow \dim \left( {\dfrac{L}{R}} \right) = {M^0}{L^0}{T^1}{A^0}$
$ \Rightarrow \dim \left( {\dfrac{L}{R}} \right) = T$
Therefore, the dimension of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] is dependent solely on time.
Alternatively:
Since the time constant, $\tau = \dfrac{L}{R}$, therefore you can tell that the dimensions of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] will be similar to that of $\tau $ as dimensional equality is only possible if the dimensions of both quantities are equal.
Therefore the dimensions of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] is $T$.
Note: Dimensional analysis questions usually have multiple approaches possible, depending entirely on the ease of your application and knowledge. Dimensions of a particular quantity can be solved in multiple ways by using the right formula to relate that quantity to those quantities whose dimensions you’re sure of. In this question, you could’ve further expanded the formula or Resistance and Inductance to get to the four basic units: mass $\left( M \right)$ , time $\left( T \right)$ , length $(L)$ and current $\left( A \right)$ .
Formulae used:
$E = \dfrac{1}{2}L{i^2}$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $L$ is the inductance and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$.
$E = {i^2}RT$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $R$ is the resistance, $T$ is the time and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$.
$\tau = \dfrac{L}{R}$
Where $\tau $ is the time constant of an $L - R$ circuit, $R$ is the resistance of the circuit and $L$ is the inductance of the circuit.
Complete step by step solution:
To find the dimensions of inductance, we will first find an equation that equates inductance with a quantity whose dimensions are well known and easily calculated, that is,
$E = \dfrac{1}{2}L{i^2}$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $L$ is the inductance and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$ . Therefore,
$ \Rightarrow L = \dfrac{{2E}}{{{i^2}}}$
Since dimensions of $E = ML{T^{ - 2}}$ and dimension of $i = A$ , therefore the dimensional formula of inductance is ,
\[L = \dfrac{{M{\text{ }}L\;{T^ - }^2\;}}{{{A^2}}} = M{\text{ }}L\;{T^ - }^2\;{A^ - }^2\] $...\left( 1 \right)$
Similarly in the case of the resistance of the circuit
$E = {i^2}RT$
Where $E$ is the energy stored in an $L - R$ circuit, $R$ is the resistance, $T$ is the time and $i$ is the current in the circuit and is dimensionally represented by $A$ . Therefore,
$ \Rightarrow R = \dfrac{E}{{{i^2}t}}$
Since dimensions of $E = ML{T^{ - 2}}$ and dimension of $i = A$ , therefore the dimensional formula of inductance is ,
$R = \dfrac{{ML{T^{ - 2}}}}{{{A^2}T}} = ML{T^{ - 3}}{A^{ - 2}}$
To find the dimensional formula of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] we simply multiply the individual dimensions, that is,
$ \Rightarrow \dim \left( {\dfrac{L}{R}} \right) = \dfrac{{ML{T^ - }^2{A^ - }^2}}{{ML{T^{ - 3}}{A^{ - 2}}}}$
$ \Rightarrow \dim \left( {\dfrac{L}{R}} \right) = {M^0}{L^0}{T^1}{A^0}$
$ \Rightarrow \dim \left( {\dfrac{L}{R}} \right) = T$
Therefore, the dimension of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] is dependent solely on time.
Alternatively:
Since the time constant, $\tau = \dfrac{L}{R}$, therefore you can tell that the dimensions of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] will be similar to that of $\tau $ as dimensional equality is only possible if the dimensions of both quantities are equal.
Therefore the dimensions of \[\dfrac{L}{R}\] is $T$.
Note: Dimensional analysis questions usually have multiple approaches possible, depending entirely on the ease of your application and knowledge. Dimensions of a particular quantity can be solved in multiple ways by using the right formula to relate that quantity to those quantities whose dimensions you’re sure of. In this question, you could’ve further expanded the formula or Resistance and Inductance to get to the four basic units: mass $\left( M \right)$ , time $\left( T \right)$ , length $(L)$ and current $\left( A \right)$ .
Recently Updated Pages
If the magnetizing field on a ferromagnetic material class 12 physics JEE_Main

A point charge is placed at the corner of a cube The class 12 physics JEE_Main

What changes occur if the monochromatic light used class 12 physics JEE_Main

The unit of specific conductance is A Ohm B Ohmmetre class 12 physics JEE_Main

Which lens is used in magnifying glass A Concave lens class 12 physics JEE_Main

Sir C V Raman won the Nobel Prize in which year A 1928 class 12 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Other Pages
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026: Download SET-wise PDF with Answer Key & Analysis

JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

What Are Current and Potential Difference in Electricity?

What Are Elastic Collisions in One Dimension?

