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A man walking briskly in rain with speed $v$ must slant his umbrella forward making an angle $\theta$ with the vertical. A student derives the following relation between $\theta$ and $v: \tan \theta=v$ and checks that the relation has a correct limit : as $v \rightarrow 0, \theta \rightarrow 0$, as expected. (We are assuming there is no strong wind and that the rain falls vertically for a stationary man). Do you think this relation can be correct? If not, guess the correct relation.
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According to principle of homogenity of dimensional equations,
Dimensions of L.H.S. = Dimensions of R.H.S,
Here, $\quad v=\tan \theta$
i.e. $\mathrm{L}^1 \mathrm{~T}^{-1}=$ Dimensionless, which is incorrect. Correcting the L.H.S., we get
$\frac{v}{u}=\tan \theta$, where $u$ is velocity of rain.
Dimensions of L.H.S. = Dimensions of R.H.S,
Here, $\quad v=\tan \theta$
i.e. $\mathrm{L}^1 \mathrm{~T}^{-1}=$ Dimensionless, which is incorrect. Correcting the L.H.S., we get
$\frac{v}{u}=\tan \theta$, where $u$ is velocity of rain.
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