ApchemWiki | RecentChanges | Preferences
Showing revision 1
==Dimensional Analysis
==
Dimensional Analysis is a mathetmatical method which allows you to covert from one set of units to another using multiplication so that the units cancel out, leaving only the desired units. (Hint: When converting between unassociated units, like cm to inches or ml to cm, a conversion factor will be needed.)
Procedure
1.) Write down the known or given number in parenthesis. (Be sure to include units!)
2.)In another set of parenthesis write the units of the first number in the deniminator of the 2nd set of parenthesis.
3.)The numerator of the 2nd set of parenthesis is the desired units.(Some conversions take several steps and therefore the numerator will be the next step in the conversion; Steps 3-7 will be repeated until the desired units are obtained.)
4.)The numerical values for the units in the second set of parenthesis will be the conversion factor.(i.e. There are 1000ml in 1L)Be sure the number goes with the correct units.
5.)The units of the original number will cancel with those of the denominator in the set of parenthesis that follows it. (Hint:This is shown by making a slash mark through the units.)