Can one take the logarithm or the sine of a dimensioned quantity or a unit? dimensional analysis involving transcendental functions

摘要

The fate of dimensions of dimensioned quantities that are inserted into the argument of transcendental functions such as logarithms, exponentiation, trigonometric, and hyperbolic functions is discussed. Emphasis is placed on common misconceptions that are not often systematically examined in undergraduate courses of physical sciences. The argument of dimensional inhomogeneity of the terms of a Taylor expansion of a transcendental function presented in some nonpeer-reviewed popular Internet sites is shown to be false.