A Student's Guide to Dimensional Analysis

by Don S. Lemons

Overview

This introduction to dimensional analysis covers the methods, history and formalisation of the field, and provides physics and engineering applications. Covering topics from mechanics, hydro- and electrodynamics to thermal and quantum physics, it illustrates the possibilities and limitations of dimensional analysis. Introducing basic physics and fluid engineering topics through the mathematical methods of dimensional analysis, this book is perfect for students in physics, engineering and mathematics. Explaining potentially unfamiliar concepts such as viscosity and diffusivity, the text includes worked examples and end-of-chapter problems with answers provided in an accompanying appendix, which help make it ideal for self-study. Long-standing methodological problems arising in popular presentations of dimensional analysis are also identified and solved, making the book a useful text for advanced students and professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108145824
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/16/2017
Series:	Student's Guides
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Don S. Lemons is Professor Emeritus of Physics at Bethel College, Kansas, and has served as an assistant editor of the American Journal of Physics. He is a member of the American Physical Society and his research focuses primarily on plasma physics.

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction; 2. Mechanics; 3. Hydrodynamics; 4. Temperature and heat; 5. Electrodynamics and plasma physics; 6. Quantum physics; 7. Dimensional cosmology; 8. Appendix. Answers to problems; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'This short book provides an introduction to dimensional analysis, covering its history, methods and formalisation, and shows its application to a number of physics and engineering problems. … Aimed primarily at physics and engineering students in their first university courses, it can also be useful to experienced students and professionals. Being concise and providing problems with solutions at the end of each chapter, the book is ideal for self study.' Virginia Greco, CERN Courier

'Dimensional, or unit, analysis is a useful tool for finding relations between variables that describe a physical system. Although it has applications across all fields of physics, it is not a regular part of a typical undergraduate physics curriculum. … Don Lemons addresses that gap. … His latest book is written in a casual style, as if he were talking to his students and giving them step-by-step guidance. Lemons shares his personal experience applying dimensional analysis to problems. For instance, he discusses the hydraulic jump, a phenomenon one can see in a kitchen sink. … Such anecdotes make dimensional analysis more accessible and less intimidating. … Lemons’s book is a well-written entry-level text that will be of value to curious undergraduates in physics and engineering.' Hong Lin, Physics Today

'The approach taken to the subject is example based: each chapter contains several examples which are dealt with in detail and end with exercise problems. Many of the exercise problems are interesting and are sure to pique the interest of the reader … A good handle on dimensional analysis is probably the most important skill that a modeller should have and this book is an ideal introductory text on the topic. The manner in which the book is written and the material is presented makes it ideal for students who wish to study the material on their own; it is also very useful for instructors involved in teaching courses on modelling. The production quality of the book is very high. The book will be very useful for students, early stage researchers and instructors in physics, mathematics and engineering and I have no hesitations in recommending it.' M. P. Gururajan, Contemporary Physics

'A short introduction that can stimulate students’ interest, broaden their analytical toolbox, and enhance their understanding of the subject.' Misha Prepelitsa, SIAM Review

From the Publisher