Why are the symbols of some constants eliminated in certain equations when we assign them the value 1?

Question

For example, in the expression of the gamma factor in special relativity we make c = 1 because the units are not important, but when c is suppressed from the equation

Gamma = 1 / SQRT (1 - (v / c) ^ 2) it remains: Gamma = 1 / SQRT (1 - v ^ 2) which is dimensionally wrong.

The same is true when we set tha Planck constant h = 1 in others equations.

Why do physicists use dimensionally incorrect equations?

I’m voting to close this question because it is not a programming question — greg-449, Sep 25 '21 at 10:07
I’m voting to close this question because it is not about programming. — kaya3, Nov 14 '21 at 04:04

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 20 '21 at 05:25

The answer is that they don't use incorrect equations. When you use a different set of units such as natural units where c=1, the dimensions are also different now. Everything is expressed in terms of Energy. c=1 implies velocity is dimensionless. Thus, in your example, v is dimensionless and the equation is well behaved.

Why are the symbols of some constants eliminated in certain equations when we assign them the value 1?

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