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JEE Advanced 2021 · Units and Measurements

A physical quantity S⃗\vec{S} is defined as S⃗=E⃗×B⃗μ0\vec{S} = \frac{\vec{E} \times \vec{B}}{\mu_0}, where E⃗\vec{E} is electric field, B⃗\vec{B} is magnetic field and μ0\mu_0 is the permeability of free space. The dimensions of S⃗\vec{S} are the same as the dimensions of which of the following quantities?

Answers: B. ForceLength×Time\frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Length} \times \text{Time}} · D. PowerArea\frac{\text{Power}}{\text{Area}}

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Written solution

Step 1: Find the dimensions of electric field, magnetic field, and permeability.

The dimensions of electric field EE are derived from force per unit charge.

[E]=[F][q][E] = \frac{[F]}{[q]} [E]=MLT−3A−1[E] = \text{MLT}^{-3}\text{A}^{-1}

The dimensions of magnetic field BB are derived from the magnetic force equation.

[B]=[F][q][v][B] = \frac{[F]}{[q][v]} [B]=MT−2A−1[B] = \text{MT}^{-2}\text{A}^{-1}

The dimensions of permeability of free space μ0\mu_0 are derived from the force per unit length between two parallel currents.

[μ0]=[F][I]2[\mu_0] = \frac{[F]}{[I]^2} [μ0]=MLT−2A−2[\mu_0] = \text{MLT}^{-2}\text{A}^{-2}

Step 2: Calculate the dimensions of S⃗\vec{S}.

Substitute the dimensions into the expression for S⃗\vec{S}.

[S]=[E][B][μ0][S] = \frac{[E][B]}{[\mu_0]} [S]=(MLT−3A−1)(MT−2A−1)MLT−2A−2[S] = \frac{(\text{MLT}^{-3}\text{A}^{-1})(\text{MT}^{-2}\text{A}^{-1})}{\text{MLT}^{-2}\text{A}^{-2}} [S]=MT−3[S] = \text{MT}^{-3}

Step 3: Evaluate the dimensions of the options.

Evaluate Option (1).

[EnergyCharge×Current]=ML2T−2(AT)(A)\left[\frac{\text{Energy}}{\text{Charge} \times \text{Current}}\right] = \frac{\text{ML}^2\text{T}^{-2}}{(\text{AT})(\text{A})} [EnergyCharge×Current]=ML2T−3A−2\left[\frac{\text{Energy}}{\text{Charge} \times \text{Current}}\right] = \text{ML}^2\text{T}^{-3}\text{A}^{-2}

Evaluate Option (2).

[ForceLength×Time]=MLT−2LT\left[\frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Length} \times \text{Time}}\right] = \frac{\text{MLT}^{-2}}{\text{LT}} [ForceLength×Time]=MT−3\left[\frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Length} \times \text{Time}}\right] = \text{MT}^{-3}

Evaluate Option (3).

[EnergyVolume]=ML2T−2L3\left[\frac{\text{Energy}}{\text{Volume}}\right] = \frac{\text{ML}^2\text{T}^{-2}}{\text{L}^3} [EnergyVolume]=ML−1T−2\left[\frac{\text{Energy}}{\text{Volume}}\right] = \text{ML}^{-1}\text{T}^{-2}

Evaluate Option (4).

[PowerArea]=ML2T−3L2\left[\frac{\text{Power}}{\text{Area}}\right] = \frac{\text{ML}^2\text{T}^{-3}}{\text{L}^2} [PowerArea]=MT−3\left[\frac{\text{Power}}{\text{Area}}\right] = \text{MT}^{-3}

Step 4: Identify the matching physical quantity.

The quantity S⃗\vec{S} represents the Poynting vector, which physically describes the energy flux density (intensity).

S=PowerAreaS = \frac{\text{Power}}{\text{Area}}

Answer: PowerArea\dfrac{\text{Power}}{\text{Area}}

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