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JEE Advanced 2012 · Units and Measurements

Let [ϵ0][\epsilon_0] denote the dimensional formula of the permittivity of vacuum. If MM = mass, LL = length, TT = time and AA = electric current, then:

Answer: B. ϵ0=[M−1L−3T4A2]\epsilon_0 = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{4} A^{2}]

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Written solution

Step 1: State the relation using Coulomb's Law.

The electrostatic force FF between two charges q1q_1 and q2q_2 separated by a distance rr in vacuum is given by Coulomb's Law.

F=14πϵ0q1q2r2F = \frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0} \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}

Step 2: Express the permittivity of vacuum in terms of the other quantities.

Rearrange the formula to solve for ϵ0\epsilon_0.

ϵ0=q1q24πFr2\epsilon_0 = \frac{q_1 q_2}{4\pi F r^2}

Since 4π4\pi is a dimensionless constant, the dimensional equation is written as follows.

[ϵ0]=[q2][F][r2][\epsilon_0] = \frac{[q^2]}{[F][r^2]}

Step 3: Determine the dimensions of charge, force, and distance.

Electric charge qq is the product of electric current and time.

[q]=[AT][q] = [A T] [q2]=[A2T2][q^2] = [A^2 T^2]

Force FF is the product of mass and acceleration.

[F]=[MLT−2][F] = [M L T^{-2}]

The square of the distance r2r^2 has the dimension of length squared.

[r2]=[L2][r^2] = [L^2]

Step 4: Substitute the dimensions to find [ϵ0][\epsilon_0].

Substitute the individual dimensions back into the dimensional equation.

[ϵ0]=[A2T2][MLT−2][L2][\epsilon_0] = \frac{[A^2 T^2]}{[M L T^{-2}][L^2]} [ϵ0]=[M−1L−3T4A2][\epsilon_0] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^4 A^2]

Answer: The dimensional formula of the permittivity of vacuum is [ϵ0]=[M−1L−3T4A2][\epsilon_0] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^4 A^2].

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