Physical quantities and dimensional analysis: from mechanics to quantum gravity
arXiv:1511.02684 · doi:10.1590/1806-9126-RBEF-2015-0003
Abstract
Physical quantities and physical dimensions are among the first concepts encountered by students in their undergraduate career. In this pedagogical review, I will start from these concepts and, using the powerful tool of dimensional analysis, I will embark in a journey through various branches of physics, from basic mechanics to quantum gravity. I will also discuss a little bit about the fundamental constants of Nature, the so-called "cube of Physics", and the natural system of units.
20 pages, 6 figures; v2: minor changes, reference added. Pedagogical article in Portuguese addressed to undergraduate students