Unit Conversions-Take II We use the Factor-Label method to convert from one unit to another. Key Idea: -Use “conversion factors” to convert between units. PAY ATTENTION TO UNITS so that they cancel. Units are your friends!!! They prevent mistakes

Any equivalence statement can be made into two (conversion factors) 1 km = 1000 m (This is called an Equivalence Statement or Definition) Any equivalence statement can be made into two (conversion factors) 1000 m = 1 km Note: both of these = 1 1 km 1000 m Which one to use? Depends on which direction you are trying to go.

Use the conversion factor that allows units to cancel. Which one? For example: Convert 25 km to meters Use the conversion factor that allows units to cancel. Which one?  1000 m or 1 km 1 km 1000 m 25 km x 1000 m = 25000 m (or 2.5 x 104 m) 1 km given conversion factor

Step-By-Step Method to Solving Problems. Example: How many centimeters are there in 5.54 inches? Step 1: Find how many centimeters are equal to one inch (Equivalence Statement). 1 inch = 2.54 cm or 2.54 cm = 1 inch

given conversion factor Step 2: Turn the statement into a “conversion factor” 1 inch = 1 or 2.54 cm = 1 2.54 cm 1 inch Step 3: Multiply the given by the conversion factor which will allow the unit to cancel out. 5.54 inch X 2.54 cm = 14.1 cm 1 inch given conversion factor

5.54 inch X 2.54 cm = 14.1 cm Three sig figs Step 4: Check your sig figs and don’t forget units! 5.54 inch X 2.54 cm = 14.1 cm 1 inch Three sig figs

Ex #2. How many kilometers is the 26.2 mile marathon? Definition: 1 mi = 1.6093 km or 1 km = .62137 mi 26.2 mi x 1.6093 km = 42.2km 1 mi given conversion factor

You can do more than one conversion at a time. Example: How many inches in 4.2 meters? Definitions: 1 meter = 100 cm 1 inch = 2.54 cm Set up: 4.2 meters X 100 cm X 1 inch = ??? 1 meter 2.54 cm given conversion conversion factor factor

Top and Bottom Conversions: Mr Clauson’s Durango gets 7.2 km/L of gas. How many miles per gallon is that? Logic: Need to go from km mi on top, and from L to gal on the bottom. 1 mi = 1.6093 km; 1 gal = 3.7854 L 7.2 km x 1mi x 3.7854 L = 1L 1.6093 km 1 gal 17.0 mpg Are the Sig Figs right? NO!! 17 mpg

89.0 mph Big League speed! Another Top and Bottom example: This year in physics, the fastest baseball throw was 39.8 m/sec. What is the speed in miles/hour? Logic: Need to go from m mi on top, and from sec to hr on the bottom. 1 m = 3.28 ft; 1mi = 5280 ft; 1 hr = 60 min; 1 min = 60 sec 89.0 mph Big League speed!

Doing Area Conversions Use the conversion factors, but square them!! Example: How many square feet in 3.3 square yards? The linear conversion factor 1 yard = 3 feet Has to be squared! 3.3 yd2 X 3 ft X 3 ft = 3.3 yd2 x 3ft 2 = 1 yd 1 yd 1 yd Answer = 29.7 sq ft = 3.0x101 sq ft (sig figs!)

Doing Volume Conversions Use the conversion factors, but cube them!! Example: How many cubic meters in 357 cm3? The linear conversion factor 1 m = 100 cm Has to be cubed! 3.57 cm3 X 1m X 1m X 1m = 3.57 cm3 x 1m 3 100 cm 100 cm 100cm 100 cm Answer = 3.57x10-6 cubic meters

Homework Paddy’s Pool Procedure (Your individual best!) Conversion WS #3

Learning Check A Nalgene water bottle holds 1000 cm3 of dihydrogen monoxide (H2O). How many cubic decimeters is that?

Solution ( ) 1000 cm3 1 dm 3 10 cm = 1 dm3 So, a dm3 is the same as a Liter ! A cm3 is the same as a milliliter.