Use app×
Join Bloom Tuition
One on One Online Tuition
JEE MAIN 2025 Foundation Course
NEET 2025 Foundation Course
CLASS 12 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 10 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 9 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 8 FOUNDATION COURSE
+2 votes
7.3k views
in Physics by (106k points)

A man walking briskly in rain with speed v must slant his umbrella forward making an angle θ with the vertical. A student derives the following relation between θ and v: tan θ = v and checks that the relation has a correct limit: as v →0, θ → 0, as expected. (We are assuming there is no strong wind and that the rain falls vertically for a stationary man). Do you think this relation can be correct? If not, guess the correct relation.

1 Answer

+2 votes
by (14.7k points)
selected by
 
Best answer

Answer is Incorrect:
On dimensional ground, the relation is tanθ = v
Dimension of R.H.S = M0 L1 T–1
Dimension of L.H.S = M0 L0 T0
( The trigonometric function is considered to be a dimensionless quantity)

Dimension of R.H.S is not equal to the dimension of L.H.S. Hence, the given relation is not correct dimensionally.

To make the given relation correct, the R.H.S should also be dimensionless. One way to achieve this is by dividing the R.H.S by the speed of rainfall v'.
Therefore, the relation reduces to tanθ = v/v'
This relation is dimensionally correct.

Welcome to Sarthaks eConnect: A unique platform where students can interact with teachers/experts/students to get solutions to their queries. Students (upto class 10+2) preparing for All Government Exams, CBSE Board Exam, ICSE Board Exam, State Board Exam, JEE (Mains+Advance) and NEET can ask questions from any subject and get quick answers by subject teachers/ experts/mentors/students.

Categories

...