Core Concepts
- Introduction to Dimensional Analysis
- Defining Variables in Dimensional Analysis
Core chemical engineering · Year 1
Dimensional Analysis for chemical engineers
An introduction to dimensional analysis, covering fundamental dimensions, dimensionless groups and the Buckingham Pi method.
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No card needed. Every lesson is open on every plan.
The subject
What Dimensional Analysis covers
This course introduces dimensional analysis as a tool for reducing the many parameters that complicate problems in fluid dynamics and heat transfer. It begins with the fundamentals of dimensional consistency and the expression of variables in terms of mass, length, time and temperature, before defining variables through the worked example of fluid flow in a pipe. Dimensionless numbers are introduced along with their physical significance, showing how dividing an equation by one of its terms yields dimensionless groups and how these groups can be combined. The course concludes with the Buckingham Pi method, including the theorem relating the number of dimensionless groups to variables and fundamental dimensions, and the rules for selecting a valid recurring set.
What you’ll be able to do
- Explain why the number of parameters makes fluid dynamics and heat transfer problems difficult
- Explain how dividing an equation by one term produces dimensionless groups
- State Buckingham's theorem relating dimensionless groups to variables and fundamental dimensions
The lessons
Every lesson, theme by theme
4 lessons in 3 themes, pitched at Year 1. Your year decides what comes first, never what you can open.
Dimensionless Numbers
- What are Dimensionless Numbers
Buckingham Method
- Buckingham Method
Before you start
What it builds on
How you’ll learn it
Dimensional Analysis, at your pace
Video lessons
4 lessons and 5 videos, each with what you’ll be able to do by the end.
Practice, marked as you go
3 practice questions, marked the moment you answer, with hints when you’re stuck. Step-by-step worked solutions come with Core.
CERA, when it doesn’t click
Ask CERA to explain any idea in Dimensional Analysis another way, or to test you on it. Every day, on every plan.
Keep exploring
See every subjectMass & Energy Balances
A course on mass and energy balances, covering reacting systems, enthalpy, process modelling, recycle and purge, and multi-stage systems.
Thermodynamics
A comprehensive grounding in thermodynamic principles and cycles, covering energy, efficiency, the ideal gas law and the OTTO, Diesel, Brayton, Carnot and Rankine cycles.
Fluid Dynamics
A study of the properties and behaviour of fluids, covering fluid statics and dynamics, laminar and turbulent flow regimes, and Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid modelling.
Heat Transfer
A comprehensive heat transfer course spanning conduction, convection and radiation, Nusselt analysis, pinch technology heat integration, nodal networks and thermal food systems.
Ready when you are
Build a plan around exactly where you’re stuck
Tell us where you are and get a pathway with your first lesson, your first practice set and a weekly study target. You won’t need an account until you want to keep it.