A unitless quantity?
A. Does not exist
B. Always has a nonzero dimension
C. Never has a nonzero dimension
D. May have a nonzero dimension
Answer
637.2k+ views
Hint: The dimension of a physical quantity is the power to which the fundamental quantities are raised in order to obtain the unit of a physical quantity.
Complete step-by-step solution:
The dimension of a physical quantity is defined as the powers to which the fundamental quantities are raised so as to represent that physical quantity and there are seven fundamental quantities which are named as length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, and amount of substance.
A unitless quantity is the one in which fundamental quantities are not involved and it doesn't have any unit hence it doesn't have any dimensions so their dimension is Zero.
For example, if we take $\pi $ which is the ratio of the perimeter of the circle to its diameter and its mathematical value i.e. $ \simeq 3.14$ approx but it does not have any unit and does not have any dimension.
Let's take another example i.e. probability which is the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes to the number of total outcomes, so probability also does not have any unit and also not having any dimension.
Therefore from these examples, it is clear that a unitless quantity exists and they have zero dimensions.
Hence the correct option is C i.e. a unitless quantity never has a nonzero dimension.
Note: Actually a dimensionless quantity can have a unit, like in the case of angle (radian) but the opposite of this is not true, means a unitless quantity can never have dimensions basically it is the unit that gives dimensions to something.
Complete step-by-step solution:
The dimension of a physical quantity is defined as the powers to which the fundamental quantities are raised so as to represent that physical quantity and there are seven fundamental quantities which are named as length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, and amount of substance.
A unitless quantity is the one in which fundamental quantities are not involved and it doesn't have any unit hence it doesn't have any dimensions so their dimension is Zero.
For example, if we take $\pi $ which is the ratio of the perimeter of the circle to its diameter and its mathematical value i.e. $ \simeq 3.14$ approx but it does not have any unit and does not have any dimension.
Let's take another example i.e. probability which is the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes to the number of total outcomes, so probability also does not have any unit and also not having any dimension.
Therefore from these examples, it is clear that a unitless quantity exists and they have zero dimensions.
Hence the correct option is C i.e. a unitless quantity never has a nonzero dimension.
Note: Actually a dimensionless quantity can have a unit, like in the case of angle (radian) but the opposite of this is not true, means a unitless quantity can never have dimensions basically it is the unit that gives dimensions to something.
Recently Updated Pages
Difference Between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells

If x a + bt + ct2 where x is in meters and t is in class 11 physics CBSE

A car covers the first half distance between two places class 11 physics CBSE

The resultant of two vectors overrightarrow P and overrightarrow class 11 physics CBSE

Find the value of cos 135 class 11 maths CBSE

A mass M is held in place by an applied force F and class 11 physics CBSE

Trending doubts
One Metric ton is equal to kg A 10000 B 1000 C 100 class 11 physics CBSE

Simon Commission came to India in A 1927 B 1928 C 1929 class 11 social science CBSE

How are involuntary actions and reflex actions different class 11 biology CBSE

Derive an expression for maximum height and range of class 11 physics CBSE

What are polar and nonpolar solvents class 11 chemistry CBSE

Explain Rutherfords alpha ray scattering experiment class 11 chemistry CBSE

