A spherical body of mass m and radius r is allowed to fall in a medium of viscosity η. The time in which the velocity of the body increases from zero to 0.63 times the terminal velocity (v) is called time constant (τ). Dimensionally τ can be represented by:
A
\frac{mr^2}{6\pi\eta}
B
\sqrt{6\pi mr\eta g^2}
C
\frac{m}{6\pi\eta rv}
D
None of the above
Step-by-Step Solution
To determine the correct representation, we must find the option that possesses the dimensions of Time [T].
Analyze Dimensions of Physical Quantities :
Mass (m): [M] Radius (r): [L]Coefficient of Viscosity (η): [ML−1T−1] Velocity (v): [LT−1]
Acceleration due to gravity (g): [LT−2]
Analyze the Options:
Option A (6πηmr2): [ML−1T−1][M][L2]=[L3T]. This represents volume × time, not time.
Option B (6πmrηg2): [M][L][ML−1T−1][L2T−4]=[M2L2T−5]. This does not simplify to [T].
Option C (6πηrvm): [ML−1T−1][L][LT−1][M]=[MLT−2][M]=[L−1T2]. This is incorrect.
Theoretical Verification:
The equation of motion for a particle falling under Stokes' drag is mdtdv=mg−6πηrv. Rearranging for the time constant (coefficient of v in the differential equation), we get τ=6πηrm.
Checking dimensions of 6πηrm: [ML−1T−1][L][M]=[MT−1][M]=[T].
Since the correct expression 6πηrm is not listed among the first three options, the correct choice is 'None of the above'.
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