dimensional analysis

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dimensional analysis¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Dimensional analysis is supposed to prevent such errors.

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

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"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."

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