Which of the following is NOT dimensionless?
- ASpecific resistance
- BRefractive index
- CAngle of friction
- DSpecific gravity
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Let us analyze the dimensional nature of each option:Specific resistance (Resistivity, ): It is defined from , which gives . Its unit is and its dimensional formula is . Thus, it is not dimensionless.Refractive index (): It is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium (). Being a ratio of similar quantities, it is dimensionless.Angle of friction (): Angles are defined as , which is a ratio of lengths, making it dimensionless.Specific gravity: It is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance (usually water). Being a ratio of identical quantities, it is dimensionless.