From Memorization to Meaning: Helping Students See the Physics Behind the ConstantsA visual and intuitive method for teaching nondimensional physics

Max Planck kickstarted the quantum revolution 125 years ago by introducing the constant of proportionality that bears his name. Planck showed that his constant and other universal constants contain natural units in their dimensions known as Planck units.



Students learn dimensional analysis as a technique for manipulating natural correlations in physics formulae; setting universal constants equal to 1 gives proportionally meaningful results. While this method is mathematically convenient, without context, students may perceive it as a mathematical shortcut requiring memorization rather than deep understanding. Planck units offer a natural context for dimensional analysis by recasting equations in non-dimensional form, grounded in fundamental physical relationships. This approach gives students a better understanding of natural correlations that conserve physical quantities represented by universal constants.



This poster is a visually engaging presentation of the article "Understanding the natural units and their hidden role in the law of physics" (Eur. J. Phys. 45 015805, 2024). Graphical elements will be available for teachers to use in the classroom.