Definition:Dimension (Measurement)
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Definition
Every physical quantity has a dimension associated with it.
No attempt is made here to provide an abstract definition of this term. Instead, it will be defined by example.
Fundamental Dimensions
The SI-recommended fundamental dimensions are:
| \(\ds \mathsf M:\) | mass | ||||||||
| \(\ds \mathsf L:\) | length | ||||||||
| \(\ds \mathsf T:\) | time | ||||||||
| \(\ds \Theta:\) | temperature | ||||||||
| \(\ds \mathsf I:\) | electric current | ||||||||
| \(\ds \mathsf N:\) | amount of substance | ||||||||
| \(\ds \mathsf J:\) | luminous intensity |
Units
Compare with units of measurement.
This concept of dimension is more abstract than that of units, which are standard quantities of the particular dimension in question.
Sources
- 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): dimensions