ABSTRACT
Dimensional analysis allows the units of the quantities in an equation to predict the units of the answer which is obtained. The units in an equation are separated from the numerical part of the equation, and treated as variables which may be cancelled out or multiplied. If, for example, the kinetic energy of a ball is calculated from E=½ mυ2, the units of mass, m, are kg, the units of speed, υ, are m s−1, hence the units of kinetic energy are kg (m s−1)2=kg m2 s−2.
