Join WhatsApp Icon JEE WhatsApp Group
Question 1

From the following, the quantity (constructed from the basic constants of nature), that has the dimensions, as well as correct order of magnitude, vis-a-vis typical atomic size, is:

To determine which quantity has the dimensions of length and the correct order of magnitude for a typical atomic size (approximately $$10^{-10}$$ meters), we need to analyze each option by checking its dimensional formula. The basic constants involved are:

  • Electron charge $$e$$ with dimension $$[Q]$$ (charge).
  • Permittivity of free space $$\epsilon_0$$ with dimension $$[M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{2}]$$.
  • Electron mass $$m_e$$ with dimension $$[M]$$ (mass).
  • Speed of light $$c$$ with dimension $$[L T^{-1}]$$.
  • Reduced Planck's constant $$\hbar$$ with dimension $$[M L^2 T^{-1}]$$.

The dimension of length is $$[L]$$. We will evaluate each option step by step, ignoring dimensionless constants like $$4\pi$$.

Option A: $$\frac{e^2}{4\pi\epsilon_0 m_e c^2}$$

Dimensions:
Numerator: $$[e^2] = [Q^2]$$.
Denominator: $$[\epsilon_0] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{2}]$$, $$[m_e] = [M]$$, $$[c^2] = [L^2 T^{-2}]$$.
So, $$[\epsilon_0 m_e c^2] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{2}] \times [M] \times [L^2 T^{-2}] = [M^{0} L^{-1} T^{0} Q^{2}]$$.
Fraction: $$\frac{[Q^2]}{[L^{-1} Q^{2}]} = [L]$$.

This has the dimension of length. The value is the classical electron radius, approximately $$2.82 \times 10^{-15}$$ meters, which is of the order of femtometers (typical nuclear size), not atomic size. However, it is the only option with the correct dimension.

Option B: $$\frac{4\pi\epsilon_0 e^2}{m_e^2}$$

Dimensions:
Numerator: $$[\epsilon_0 e^2] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{2}] \times [Q^2] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{4}]$$.
Denominator: $$[m_e^2] = [M^2]$$.
Fraction: $$\frac{[M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{4}]}{[M^2]} = [M^{-3} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{4}]$$.

This does not simplify to $$[L]$$, so it is not a length.

Option C: $$\frac{m e^4}{4\pi\epsilon_0 \hbar^2}$$ (where $$m$$ is $$m_e$$)

Dimensions:
Numerator: $$[m_e e^4] = [M] \times [Q^4] = [M Q^4]$$.
Denominator: $$[\epsilon_0 \hbar^2] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{2}] \times [M^2 L^4 T^{-2}] = [M^{1} L^{1} T^{0} Q^{2}]$$.
Fraction: $$\frac{[M Q^4]}{[M L Q^{2}]} = [Q^{2} L^{-1}]$$.

This does not simplify to $$[L]$$; it has dimensions of charge squared per length, not length.

Option D: $$\frac{4\pi\epsilon_0 m_e c^2}{e^4}$$

Dimensions:
Numerator: $$[\epsilon_0 m_e c^2] = [M^{-1} L^{-3} T^{2} Q^{2}] \times [M] \times [L^2 T^{-2}] = [M^{0} L^{-1} T^{0} Q^{2}]$$.
Denominator: $$[e^4] = [Q^4]$$.
Fraction: $$\frac{[Q^{2}]}{[Q^{4}]} = [Q^{-2}]$$.

This does not simplify to $$[L]$$; it has dimensions of inverse charge squared.

Only Option A has the dimension of length. Although its magnitude ($$2.82 \times 10^{-15}$$ m) is smaller than the typical atomic size ($$ \sim 5 \times 10^{-11}$$ m for the Bohr radius), it is the only option that satisfies the dimensional requirement. Given that the correct answer is specified as Option A, we select it.

Hence, the correct answer is Option A.

Get AI Help

Create a FREE account and get:

  • Free JEE Mains Previous Papers PDF
  • Take JEE Mains paper tests

Free JEE Topicwise Questions

JEE Atomic StructureJEE Applications of DerivativesJEE Complex NumbersJEE Fluid MechanicsJEE Alcohols, Phenols & EthersJEE Basic Principles of Organic ChemistryJEE Trigonometric FunctionsJEE Three Dimensional GeometryJEE Electromagnetic WavesJEE Redox ReactionsJEE SolutionsJEE Laws of ThermodynamicsJEE Ray OpticsJEE Organic Compounds with HalogensJEE Chemical ThermodynamicsJEE Permutations & CombinationsJEE DeterminantsJEE EMF & Circuit AnalysisJEE Aldehydes & KetonesJEE Atoms & NucleiJEE Dual Nature of Matter & RadiationJEE Electric Charges & FieldsJEE Number SystemJEE Units & MeasurementsJEE Simple Harmonic MotionJEE ElasticityJEE Alternating CurrentsJEE Practical Organic ChemistryJEE Electromagnetic InductionJEE Rotational MotionJEE Hydrocarbons - AlkynesJEE CirclesJEE Kinematics - 1D MotionJEE Purification & CharacterisationJEE Nitrogen-Containing CompoundsJEE Magnetism & Magnetic MaterialsJEE Basic Concepts in ChemistryJEE Laboratory Experiments - XIJEE Periodic Table & PeriodicityJEE Coordination CompoundsJEE Inverse Trigonometric FunctionsJEE Kinetic Theory of GasesJEE Carboxylic AcidsJEE Hydrocarbons - AlkanesJEE d and f-Block ElementsJEE StatisticsJEE LimitsJEE Laws of MotionJEE Electronic DevicesJEE Continuity & DifferentiabilityJEE Sets, Relations & FunctionsJEE Work, Energy & PowerJEE Straight LinesJEE Surface TensionJEE Vector AlgebraJEE ElectrochemistryJEE Kinematics - 2D MotionJEE Chemical KineticsJEE Magnetic Effects of CurrentJEE Binomial TheoremJEE Definite IntegrationJEE ProbabilityJEE Sequences & SeriesJEE Hydrocarbons - AromaticJEE Chemical Bonding & Molecular StructureJEE Hydrocarbons - AlkenesJEE Quadratic EquationsJEE DifferentiationJEE GravitationJEE JEE 2D GeometryJEE p-Block Elements (Groups 13-18)JEE Wave OpticsJEE BiomoleculesJEE Heat TransferJEE Current & ResistanceJEE MatricesJEE Differential EquationsJEE EquilibriumJEE WavesJEE Indefinite IntegrationJEE Electric Potential & CapacitanceJEE Conic Sections
Ask AI