Related Formula
By the principle of dimensional homogeneity, terms added or subtracted must have the same dimensions:
[P] = [(a)/(V²)] [a] = [P][V]²$$[P] = \left[\frac{a}{V^2}\right] \implies [a] = [P][V]^2$$
[V] = [b]$[V] = [b]$
Core Logic
Let's find the dimensional formula of the quantities:
[P] = M L⁻¹T⁻²$$[P] = \text{M L}^{-1}\text{T}^{-2}$$
[V] = L³$$[V] = \text{L}^3$$
Substituting these to find [a]$[a]$ and [b]$[b]$:
[a] = (M L⁻¹T⁻²)(L⁶) = M L⁵T⁻²$$[a] = (\text{M L}^{-1}\text{T}^{-2})(\text{L}^6) = \text{M L}^5\text{T}^{-2}$$
[b] = L³ [b⁻²] = L⁻⁶$$[b] = \text{L}^3 \implies [b^{-2}] = \text{L}^{-6}$$
Now, compute the dimensions of ab⁻²$ab^{-2}$:
[ab⁻²] = (M L⁵T⁻²)(L⁻⁶) = M L⁻¹T⁻²$$[ab^{-2}] = (\text{M L}^5\text{T}^{-2})(\text{L}^{-6}) = \text{M L}^{-1}\text{T}^{-2}$$
This matches the dimensions of pressure.
Let's evaluate the options:
- Planck's constant: [h] = M L²T⁻¹$[h] = \text{M L}^2\text{T}^{-1}$
- Compressibility: [β] = M⁻¹LT²$[\beta] = \text{M}^{-1}\text{L}\text{T}^2$
- Strain: dimensionless
- Energy density (energy per unit volume):
[(E)/(V)] = M L²T⁻²L³ = M L⁻¹T⁻²$$\left[\frac{E}{V}\right] = \frac{\text{M L}^2\text{T}^{-2}}{\text{L}^3} = \text{M L}^{-1}\text{T}^{-2}$$
Step 1: Final Conclusion
Therefore, the dimension of ab⁻²$ab^{-2}$ is equivalent to that of Energy density.
Pattern Recognition
By writing the relation directly as [ab⁻²] = ([a])/([b]²)$[ab^{-2}] = \frac{[a]}{[b]^2}$, and noting [a] = [P][V]²$[a] = [P][V]^2$ and [b] = [V]$[b] = [V]$, we get [ab⁻²] = ([P][V]²)/([V]²) = [P]$[ab^{-2}] = \frac{[P][V]^2}{[V]^2} = [P]$ (Pressure). Since pressure and energy density have identical dimensions, the answer is immediately Energy density.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements
Class 11 Physics: Kinetic Theory of Gases