Unit help: what units should I have if I have m / m s^-2 ?

[mand00]

Can anyone help and tell me what units I should have if I have m / m s^-2 The m's cancel leaving 1 / s^-2 If I had 1 / s^-1 it wouldn't be a problem but to the -2 is confusing me. Thanks!

 

[stapel]

Can anyone help and tell me what units I should have if I have m / m s^-2

Do you mean to ask what units you should end up with if you start with the given units? Also, is the unit expression as follows?

. . . . .\(\displaystyle \dfrac{m}{m\, s^{-2}}\)

The m's cancel leaving 1 / s^-2

If the expression is as formatted above then, yes, the m's ("meters"?) would cancel out.

If I had 1 / s^-1 it wouldn't be a problem...

Great! How would you handle the -1 exponent on variable? What would you end up with?

...but to the -2 is confusing me.

At what point in the process for 1/s^(-1) do you feel things would be different for 1/s^(-2)? Where are you getting stuck in the process?

Please be complete. Thank you!

 

[mand00]

Thanks. Yes that's the format. s = 1 / s-1 so as it's to the -2 I'm thinking how do I cancel the minus 2 or rather what should it be... I know I'm missing something. You say why should it be different, I just think -2 is different to -1 ! Hence my confusion!

 

[mand00]

Thanks for replying Yes that is the format. With 1 / s^-1 my units would be s (seconds), as s = 1 / s^-1 but as it's 1 / s^-2 I want to say the final units are s^-1..... which I have a feeling is wrong.

 

[stapel]

Thanks. Yes that's the format. s = 1 / s-1

I think this means, "Yes, that's the expression I meant. My understanding is that 1/s^(-1) = s^(+1) = s^1 = s."

so as it's to the -2 I'm thinking how do I cancel the minus 2...

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what this means...?

Have you studied exponents at all? If not (or if you just missed the class meetings when they covered negative exponents), try here.

 

[mand00]

I think this means, "Yes, that's the expression I meant. My understanding is that 1/s^(-1) = s^(+1) = s^1 = s."


I'm sorry, but I have no idea what this means...?

Have you studied exponents at all? If not (or if you just missed the class meetings when they covered negative exponents), try here.

The units are s^2 I think... it just seems and odd unit. Anyway thanks for your input and apologies for frustrating you with my way of putting things and yes you did understand. Cheers

 

[mand00]

Tattoo this on your wrist:
a / x^(-b) = ax^b

Cheers Dennis, though I can think of much more imaginative tattoos for my wrist