M1 Lesson 3 Conversion of Units, Computation Rules

M1 LESSON 3 CONVERSION OF UNITS,
COMPUTATION RULES
Rules for Multiplication and Division
The answer has the same number of significant figures
as the original number with the fewest significant
figures.
4 sig. figures
351.2 miles 63.854545 miles

=
5.5 hour hour
2 sig. figures Answer must have
2 sig. figures.
2
3
Rules for Addition and Subtraction

The answer has the same number of decimal places
as the original number with the fewest decimal places.
10.11 kg 2 decimal places

3.6 kg 1 decimal place
6.51 kg answer must have

1 decimal place
= 6.5 kg final answer

1 decimal place
4
Problem Solving Using the Factor-Label Method
Conversion factor: A term that converts a quantity in

one unit to a quantity in another unit.
original
original x conversion factor desired
desired
quantity conversion factor = quantity
quantity
quantity
•Conversion factors are usually written as
equalities. 2.21 lb = 1 kg
•To use them, they must be written as
fractions. 2.21 lb or 1 kg
1 kg 2.21 lb
Using the Factor-Label Method
Solving a Problem Using One Conversion Factor
Factor-label method: Using conversion factors to
convert a quantity in one unit to a quantity in
another unit.
•units are treated like numbers
•make sure all unwanted units cancel
To convert 130 lb into kilograms:
130 lb x conversion
conversion factor
factor = ? kg
original desired
quantity quantity
5
Solving a Problem Using One Conversion Factor
2.21
2.21 lb
lb
11 kg
kg
130 lb x or Answer
11 kg 2 sig. figures
kg
2.21
2.21 lb
lb = 59 kg
•The bottom conversion factor has

the original unit in the denominator.
•The unwanted unit lb cancels.
•The desired unit kg does not cancel.
6
HOW TO Solve a Problem Using Conversion Factors
Example How many grams of aspirin are in a 325-mg

tablet?
Step [1] Identify the original quantity and the desired

quantity, including units.
original quantity desired quantity
325 mg ?g
7
8
Step [2] Write out the conversion factor(s) needed

to solve the problem.
1 g = 1000 mg
This can be written as two possible fractions:

1000 mg or 1g
1g 1000 mg
Choose this factor to
cancel the unwanted
unit, mg.
9
Step [3] Set up and solve the problem.
325 mg x 1 g = 0.325 g
1000 mg
3 sig. figures 3 sig. figures
Unwanted unit
cancels.
Step [4] Write the answer with the correct number

of significant figures.
10
Solving a Problem Using Two or More
Conversion Factors
Always arrange the factors so that the denominator in

one term cancels the numerator in the preceding term.
How many liters is in 1.0 pint?
1.0 pint ?L
•Two conversion factors are needed:
2 pints = 1 quart 1.06 quarts = 1 liter
2 pt or 1 qt 1.06 qt or 1 L
1 qt 2 pt 1L 1.06 qt
First, cancel pt. Then, cancel qt.

11
Solving a Problem Using Two or More

Conversion Factors
•Set up the problem and solve:
1.0 pt x 1 qt x 1L = 0.47 L
2 pt 1.06 qt
•Write the answer with the correct number of

significant figures.
12
Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object is.

Three temperature scales are used:
•degrees Fahrenheit (oF)
•degrees Celsius (oC)
•Kelvin (K)
To convert from oC to oF: To convert from oF to oC:

FF == 1.8( C
oo
C = FF −− 32
= oo
32
1.8( C)C) ++ 32
oo oo
32 1.8
1.8
To convert from oC to K: To convert from K to oC:

KK == ooC
C ++ 273
273 C
C == KK −− 273
oo
273
13
Temperature
Comparing the Three Temperature Scales
Density and Specific Gravity
Density: A physical property that relates the mass of

a substance to its volume.
mass (g)
density =
volume (mL or cc)
To convert volume (mL) To convert mass (g)

to mass (g): to volume (mL):
g mL
mL x = g g x = mL
mL g
density inverse of density

14
Solving Problems with Density
•If the density of acetic acid is 1.05 g/mL, what is
the volume of 5.0 grams of acetic acid?
5.0 g ? mL
•Density is the conversion factor, and can be
written two ways:
1.05 g 1 mL
1 mL 1.05 g
Choose the inverse density

to cancel the unwanted unit, g.
15
16
Solving Problems with Density
•Set up and solve the problem:
5.0 g x 1 mL = 4.8 mL
1.05 g
Unwanted unit
cancels.
•Write the final answer with the correct number

of significant figures.
Specific Gravity
Specific gravity: A quantity that compares the density

of a substance with the density of water at the
same temperature.
specific gravity = density of a substance (g/mL)
density of water (g/mL)
•The units of the numerator (g/mL) cancel the
units of the denominator (g/mL).
•The specific gravity of a substance is equal to its

density, but contains no units.
17
SOURCE: Leonard, Andrea (University of Lafayette). Chapter 1
Lecture Outline [PowerPoint presentation]. Based from the
book by Smith, J. G. (2019). General, Organic, and Biological
Chemistry (4th edition).

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M1 LESSON 3 CONVERSION OF UNITS,

351.2 miles 63.854545 miles

Rules for Addition and Subtraction

10.11 kg 2 decimal places

6.51 kg answer must have

= 6.5 kg final answer

Problem Solving Using the Factor-Label Method

Conversion factor: A term that converts a quantity in

To convert 130 lb into kilograms:

•The bottom conversion factor has

Example How many grams of aspirin are in a 325-mg

Step [1] Identify the original quantity and the desired

HOW TO Solve a Problem Using Conversion Factors

Step [2] Write out the conversion factor(s) needed

This can be written as two possible fractions:

HOW TO Solve a Problem Using Conversion Factors

Step [3] Set up and solve the problem.

Step [4] Write the answer with the correct number

Always arrange the factors so that the denominator in

First, cancel pt. Then, cancel qt.

Solving a Problem Using Two or More

•Set up the problem and solve:

•Write the answer with the correct number of

Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object is.

To convert from oC to oF: To convert from oF to oC:

To convert from oC to K: To convert from K to oC:

Density: A physical property that relates the mass of

To convert volume (mL) To convert mass (g)

density inverse of density

Choose the inverse density

Solving Problems with Density

•Set up and solve the problem:

•Write the final answer with the correct number

Specific gravity: A quantity that compares the density

•The specific gravity of a substance is equal to its

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