dimensional analysis

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a method for comparing the dimensions of the physical quantities occurring in a problem to find relationships between the quantities without having to solve the problem completely.

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Etymology

Origin of dimensional analysis

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Dimensional analysis is supposed to prevent such errors.

From Nature

In dimensional analysis, that confusingly becomes joules, the same unit as energy.

From Nature

"One of our early attempts," he said, "was simply to put this in as a volume factor, so that the left-hand side of the equation, below the line, would read—" He scribbled again on the paper and held it up: md = K d3ft2 "Unfortunately, as you can perhaps see," Dr. O'Connor said, "the equation would not stand up under dimensional analysis."

From Project Gutenberg