<VV> Dinensioal Analysis

[FrankCB at aol.com]

In my opinion, the real value of dimensional analysis is its ability  to let 
you figure out conversions and calculations without having to memorize  
formulas.  For example, if you want to convert 60 miles per hour to feet  per second:
    60 miles/hr  X  5280 ft/mile   X  hr/3600 sec    =   88 ft/sec
 
For a MUCH clearer explanation/illustration of just how this works, refer  to 
pages 23 and 24 in Bob Helt's excellent book "Corvair Secrets".  He  calls it 
"Devising a Formula" and clearly shows, using dimensional analysis,  just how 
you can put together your own mathematical formula or conversion.   And you 
don't need a math or engineering degree to follow his explanation, just  a 
simple hand calculator (or slide rule<GGGGGG>).
    Frank "try it, you'll like it" Burkhard 
 
 
In a message dated 1/27/2007 11:40:47 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
BobHelt at aol.com writes:

In a  message dated 1/27/2007 7:53:07 AM US Mountain Standard Time,   
djtcz at comcast.net writes:

It was a  crusty GMI chem teacher  who beat dimensional analysis into my head 
ca  1969.
It has served  me well to this day.
I worked with a mech engineer  (several years  older than me) from a 
prestigious Soviet university who did not  seem  familiar with it, and from 
time-t-time 
got bad answers as a   result.

--
Dan Timberlake



For those wondering what  we're talking about, there is an example of  
dimentional analysis in  my book, CORVAIR SECRETS.

Regards,
Bob  Helt