Related Formula
Maxwell's relation for the speed of light (c$c$) in vacuum:
c = 1√(μ₀ ε₀)$$c = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\mu_0 \varepsilon_0}}$$
Core Logic
Square both sides of the speed of light formula:
c² = (1)/(μ₀ ε₀)$$c^2 = \frac{1}{\mu_0 \varepsilon_0}$$
Since c$c$ represents the speed of light (velocity), its dimensional formula is:
[c] = [L T⁻¹]$$[c] = [L T^{-1}]$$
Therefore, the dimensions of c²$c^2$ are:
[c²] = [L T⁻¹]² = [L² T⁻²]$$[c^2] = [L T^{-1}]^2 = [L^2 T^{-2}]$$
Step 1: Match options
Express the dimensions in terms of the given variable ratios:
[c²] = (L²)/(T²)$$[c^2] = \frac{L^2}{T^2}$$
This perfectly matches Option (2).
Pattern Recognition
Sees: Dimensions of vacuum permittivity-permeability inverse product.
Trap: Trying to find the separate dimensions of both μ₀$\mu_0$ and ε₀$\varepsilon_0$, then conducting manual division. This is extremely slow and prone to algebraic error.
Shortcut: Directly identify the term as c²$c^2$. The velocity squared has units of m²s⁻²$\mathrm{m}^2\mathrm{s}^{-2}$, giving dimensions of L²T⁻²$\mathrm{L}^2\mathrm{T}^{-2}$ immediately.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves
Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements