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Questions and Answers
When converting units, why should we place miles on the bottom in the conversion factor?
What is the purpose of using multiple conversion factors in a unit conversion problem?
Why do we need to use another conversion factor to convert from feet to a desired unit?
What is the result of multiplying by the conversion factor 1 foot = 12 inches?
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When converting units, why is it essential to set up the problem correctly?
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What is the common issue people face when converting units?
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In the conversion of density of ethanol, what is the purpose of multiplying by 1 kg/1,000 g?
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When converting milliliters to liters, why do we need to manipulate the conversion factor?
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What is the result of multiplying by the conversion factor 1,000 mL/1 L?
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In the conversion of density of ethanol, what is the final answer?
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Study Notes
Dimensional Analysis
- Dimensional analysis is a technique used to solve problems in chemistry and everyday life by converting between different units of measurement.
- It allows us to convert a number from one unit to another unit, helping us to solve problems more efficiently and accurately.
Conversion Factors
- A conversion factor is a relationship in the form of an equality, used to convert between different units of measurement.
- Examples of conversion factors include 7 days/1 week, 60 seconds/1 minute, and 12 inches/1 foot.
- Conversion factors can be written in different ways, but they must be equal to 1.
Solving Problems with Dimensional Analysis
- To solve a problem using dimensional analysis, start with the quantity given, and set up a conversion factor (or multiple conversion factors) to solve the problem.
- Identify the known equalities and choose the correct conversion factor to use.
- Multiply the given quantity by the conversion factor, canceling out unwanted units, and arrive at the desired unit of measurement.
One-Step Problems
- Solve the problem of converting 2.45 hours into minutes using the conversion factor 60 minutes/1 hour or 1 hour/60 minutes.
- Choose the correct conversion factor to get the desired unit of measurement.
Multi-Step Problems
- Convert 2.3 miles into centimeters using multiple conversion factors: 1 mile = 5,280 feet, 1 foot = 12 inches, and 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.
- Set up the problem by listing the conversion factors and using them to cancel out unwanted units, arriving at the desired unit of measurement.
Tips and Tricks
- Always start with the quantity given and work from there.
- Choose the correct conversion factor to cancel out unwanted units and arrive at the desired unit of measurement.
- The order in which you multiply conversion factors does not matter, as long as you cancel out the correct units.
- Dimensional analysis can be used to solve a wide range of problems, from everyday applications to complex chemistry problems.
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Description
Learn the technique of dimensional analysis, also known as the factor-label method, to solve problems in chemistry and everyday life. Convert numbers from one unit to another with ease.