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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of using a conversion factor in chain-link conversion?
What is the purpose of using a conversion factor in chain-link conversion?
- To simplify mathematical expressions unrelated to units
- To change the value of the quantity being measured
- To cancel unwanted units while converting measurements (correct)
- To compare measurements from different systems without changing them
How should conversion factors be introduced during calculations?
How should conversion factors be introduced during calculations?
- By using only one measurement for conversion
- As ratios where both the numerator and denominator contain identical values
- In a manner that ensures unwanted units cancel out (correct)
- In such a way that unwanted units must remain
What is a critical caution to take when creating conversion factors?
What is a critical caution to take when creating conversion factors?
- Treat conversion factors like basic numbers without regard to units
- Ensure the conversion factor is used in the right context to avoid incorrect cancellations (correct)
- Only use conversion factors between SI units
- Always write conversion factors as simple fractions
What is an important characteristic of conversion factors related to unity?
What is an important characteristic of conversion factors related to unity?
What should you do if units do not cancel when applying a conversion factor?
What should you do if units do not cancel when applying a conversion factor?
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Study Notes
Changing Units
- Unit conversion is essential for expressing physical quantities in different measurements.
- Chain-link conversion involves employing conversion factors, which are ratios of units equal to one.
- An example of a conversion factor is the relationship between minutes and seconds: 1 min = 60 s.
- Conversion factors can be represented as (1 min)/(60 s) or (60 s)/(1 min) to facilitate calculations.
- It is crucial to treat numbers and their corresponding units as a single entity when performing conversions.
- Introducing conversion factors is beneficial as they do not alter the original measurement's value, maintaining unity.
- In chain-link conversion, unwanted units can be canceled by strategically applying conversion factors.
- If the units do not cancel correctly, the conversion factor should be inverted and reapplied.
- Units in conversions follow the same algebraic rules as variables and numbers in mathematics.
- Appendix D provides a list of conversion factors between the International System (SI) and other units, including non-SI units used in the U.S.
- Conversion factors are presented in the form “1 min = 60 s,” requiring careful selection of numerators and denominators for correct ratios.
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