If x=at+bt2, where x is the distance travelled by the body in kilometres while t is the time in seconds, then the units of b are
A
km/s
B
km-s
C
km/s2
D
km-s2
Step-by-Step Solution
Principle of Homogeneity: According to the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, physical quantities can only be added or subtracted if they have the same dimensions. This means that in the equation x=at+bt2, each term on the right-hand side (at and bt2) must have the same physical dimensions as the term on the left-hand side (x) .
Dimensional Analysis:
The quantity x represents distance, so its unit is kilometres (km) and its dimension is Length [L].
The quantity t represents time, so its unit is seconds (s) and its dimension is Time [T].
For the term bt2 to have the same dimensions as x, the units must satisfy the equation:
Unit(b)×Unit(t)2=Unit(x)Unit(b)×s2=km
Calculation: Solving for the unit of b:
Unit(b)=s2km
Conclusion: The unit of b is km/s2.
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