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Dimensional formula for power of a lens is ________.

Asked in GSEB Board August 2020 · Dimensional formula of a named quantity

Answer: (3) M⁰L⁻¹T⁰

Step-by-step solution

Given: the power of a lens.

Idea: the power of a lens is the reciprocal of its focal length, P=1/f, with f measured in metre.

[f]=L¹, so [P]=L⁻¹, which written out in full is M⁰L⁻¹T⁰.

One dioptre is one reciprocal metre, which is why a converging lens of focal length 50 cm is a +2 D lens.

So the dimensional formula for the power of a lens is M⁰L⁻¹T⁰ -- not the M¹L²T⁻³ of mechanical power.

Why the other options are wrong

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