UNIT (1) MEASUREMENTS IN CHEMISTRY

Measurements are part of our daily lives. We measure our weights, driving distances, and
gallons of gasoline. As a health professional you might measure blood pressure,
temperature, pulse rate, drug dosage, or percentage of body fat.
A measurement contains a number and a unit.
A unit specifies the physical property and the size of a measurement, while the number
indicates how many units are present. A number without a unit is usually meaningless.

1.1 Units of Measurement

In the United States most measurements are made with the English system of units which
usually contain fractions (a collection of functionally unrelated units.)
The metric system is a decimal-based system of units of measurement which is used
most often worldwide.
Around 1960, the international scientific organization adopted a modification of the
metric system called International System or SI (from Systèm International).

Quantity English Unit Metric Unit SI Unit

Mass pound (lb) gram (g) kilogram (kg)

Length foot (ft) meter (m) meter (m)
Volume quart (qt) liter (L) cubic meter (m3)
Temperature degree Fahrenheit (F) degree Celsius (C) Kelvin (K)
Energy calorie (cal) calorie (cal) Joule (J)

1.2 Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a common method used to conveniently represent very small or
very large numbers. There are two parts to any number expressed in scientific notation, a
coefficient, and a power of 10. The number 683 is written in scientific notation as
6.83 x 102. The coefficient is 6.83 and 102 shows the power of 10 (the superscript 2 is
called an exponent). A number less than one would contain a negative exponent. For
example: the number 0.0075 is written as 7.5 x 10-3 (note the negative exponent).

The coefficient must always be a number greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10 or
1  coefficient < 10.

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Worked Example 1-1
Express the following numbers in scientific notation:
a) 408.00 b) 0.007956

Solution
Apply the following:
Place the decimal point after the first nonzero digit in the number.
Indicate the number of places the decimal was moved using the power of 10.
If the decimal is moved to the left, the power of 10 is positive. If moved to the
right, it is negative.

a) 4.0800 x 102 (coefficient = 4.0800, exponent = +2)

b) 7.956 x 10-3 (coefficient = 7.956, exponent = -3)

Practice 1-1
Express each of the following values in scientific notation:
a) There are 33,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules of water in
one milligram of water.
b) A single molecule of sucrose weighs 0.000 000 000 000 000 000 000 57 g.

Answer

a) 3.3 x 1019 (coefficient = 3.3, exponent = 19)

b) 5.7 x 10-22 (coefficient = 5.7, exponent = -22)

Practice 1-2
Convert each the following scientific notation to decimal notation.
a) 8.54 x 103 b) 6.7 x 10-5 c) 1.29 x 104 d) 1.000 x 10-2

Answer

a) 8540 b) 0.000067 c) 12900 d) 0.01000

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Scientific Notation and Calculators
Numbers in scientific notation can be entered into most calculators using the EE or
EXP key. As an example try 9.7 x 103.
1. Enter the coefficient (9.7) into calculator.
2. Push the EE (or EXP) key. Do NOT use the x (times) button.
3. Enter the exponent number (3).

Number to Enter Method Display Reads

9.7 x 103 9.7 EE or EXP 3 9.7 03 or 9.7E03 or 9700

Now try 8.1 x 10-5:

1. Enter the coefficient (8.1) into calculator.

2. Push the EE (or EXP) key. Do NOT use the x (times) button.
3. Enter the exponent number (5). Use the plus/minus (+/-) key to change its sign.

Number to Enter Method Display Reads

8.1 x 10-5 8.1 EE or EXP 5 +/- 8.1-05 or 8.1E-05

1.3 Metric Prefixes

The metric system is a decimal-based system of units of measurement used by most
scientists worldwide.
In the metric system, a prefix can be attached to a unit to increase or decrease its size by
factors (powers) of 10.

Prefix Value

tera- (T) 1012 = 1,000,000,000,000

giga- (G) 109 = 1,000,000,000
mega- (M) 106 = 1,000,000
kilo- (k) 103 = 1,000

deci- (d) 10-1 = 0.1

centi- (c) 10-2 = 0.01
milli- (m) 10-3 = 0.001
micro- (μ) 10-6 = 0.000001
nano- (n) 10-9 = 0.000000001
pico- (p) 10-12 = 0.000000000001

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Practice 1-3
Give the metric prefix that corresponds to each of the following
a) 1,000,000,000 b) 10-6 c) 1000 d) 0.01 e) 10-9 f) 1012

Answer

a) giga b) micro c) kilo

d) centi e) nano f) tera

1.4 Significant Figures in Measurements

A student is asked to determine the mass of a small object using two different balances
available in the lab. The lower priced model reports masses to within ±0.01 g (one-one
hundredth), while the higher priced one reports to within ±0.0001 g (one-ten thousandth).
The student measures the mass three times on each balance and completes the following
table.

First balance Second balance

Three measurements 2.16, 2.14, 2.15 g 2.1538, 2.1539, 2.1537 g

Average 2.15 g 2.1538 g

Reproducibility ±0.01 g ±0.0001 g

Which digit is the “uncertain The last digit; 5 The last digit; 8
digit” in the average?
Which digits are “certain 2, 1 2, 1, 5, 3
digits” in the average?
How many significant digits Three significant digits Five significant digits
are in the average?

Significant figures (sig figs) are the digits that are known with certainty plus one digit
that is uncertain. All nonzero digits in measurements are always significant.

Are zeroes significant?

YES: zeros between nonzero digits (20509).
YES: zeros at the end of a number when a decimal point is written (3600.).
NO: zeros at the end of a number when no decimal point is written (3600).
NO: zeros at the beginning of a number (0.0047).

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Worked Example 1-2
How many significant figures does each number have?
a) 0.0037 b) 600. c) 93,000
d) 2.08 x 10-5 e) 600 f) 58.00
2
g) 4010049 h) 1.700 x 10 i) 4.0100 x 106

Solution

sf sf sf
0.0037 2 600. 3 93,000 2
2.08 x 10-5 3 600 1 58.00 4
4010049 7 1.700 x 102 4 4.0100 x 106 5

Significant Figures in “Exact Numbers”

Exact numbers have an unlimited number of significant figures. Exact numbers are
obtained by counting items or by definition.
Counting: 24 students mean 24.0000000… students. 8 pennies means 8.0000... pennies.
Definition: 1 m = 100 cm means 1.00000….m = 100.000000….cm

1.5 Calculations Involving Significant Figures

Rules for Rounding off Numbers
If the first digit to be deleted is 4 or less, leave the last reported digit unchanged.
If the first digit to be deleted is 5 or greater, increase the last reported digit by one.
In some cases you need to add significant zeros. The number 2, reported in four
significant figures, is 2.000.

Practice 1-4
Round off each of the following to three significant figures.
a) 9.174 b) 9.175 c) 9.176
d) 5 e) 0.0040 f) 8000
-5
g) 2.4 x 10 h) 670
Answer

a) 9.174 (9.17) b) 9.175 (9.18) c) 9.176 (9.18)

d) 5 (5.00) e) 0.0040 (0.00400) f) 8000 (8.00 x 103)

g) 2.4 x 10-5 (2.40 x 10-5) h) 670 (670.)

1-5
Rules for Rounding off in Calculations
A. Multiplication and Division
The answer carries the same number of significant figures as the factor with the fewest
significant figures.

Practice 1-5
Perform each of the following calculations to the correct number of significant
figures.
a) 33.56 x 1.9483 b) (2.50 x 10-3) x (1.8500 x 105)
c) 47.5301  2.30 d) (6.56 x 1010)  (7.8 x 109)

Answer

a) 33.56 x 1.9483 = 65.38 b) (2.50 x 10-3) x (1.8500 x 105) = 4.63 x 102

c) 47.5301  2.30 = 20.7 d) (6.56 x 1010)  (7.8 x 109) = 8.4

B. Addition and Subtraction

The answer should have the same number of decimal places as the quantity with the
fewest decimal places.

Practice 1-6
Perform each of the following calculations to the correct number of significant
figures:
a) 73.498 + 2.2 b) 63.81 + 205.4
c) 191.000 - 188.0 d) 124.08 - 39.1740
-2 -2
e) (6.8 x 10 ) + (2.04 x 10 ) f) (5.77 x 10-4) - (3.6 x 10-4)

Answer

a) 73.498 + 2.2 = 75.7 b) 63.81 + 205.4 = 269.2

c) 191.000 - 188.0 = 3.0 d) 124.08 - 39.1740 = 84.91

e) (6.8 x 10-2) + (2.04 x 10-2) = f) (5.77 x 10-4) - (3.6 x 10-4) =

8.8 x 10-2 2.2 x 10-4

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1.6 Writing Conversion Factors
Many problems in chemistry require converting a quantity from one unit to another. To
perform this conversion, you must use a conversion factor or series of conversion factors
that relate two units. This method is called dimensional analysis.

Any equality can be written in the form of a fraction called a conversion factor. A
conversion factor is easily distinguished from all other numbers because it is always a
fraction that contains different units in the numerator and denominator.

Converting kilograms to pounds can be performed using the equality 1 kg = 2.20 lb. The
two different conversion factors that may be written for the equality are shown below.
Note the different units in the numerator and denominator, a requirement for all
conversion factors.

umerator 1 g 2.20
Conversion Factors: or
Denominator 2.20 1 g

Some common units and their equivalents are listed in Table 1.1. You should be able to
use the information, but you will not be responsible for memorizing the table. The Table
will be given to you during quizzes and exams.

Table 1.1 Some Common Units and Their Equivalents

Length 1 m = 100 cm 1 m = 1000 mm 1 cm = 10 mm 1 km = 1000 m 1nm = 10-9 m

1Å = 10-10 m 1 in = 2.54 cm 1 ft = 30.48 cm 1 mi = 1.61 km 1 yd = 0.91 m

1 ft = 12 in.

Mass 1 kg = 1000 g 1 g = 1000 mg 1 lb = 454 g 1kg = 2.20 lb 1 oz = 28.35 g

1 lb = 16 oz

Volume 1L = 1000 mL 1 mL = 1 cm3 1qt = 0.946 L 1 gal = 3.78 L

Energy 1 cal = 4.18 J

Temperature ˚F = 1.8˚C + 32 ˚C = (˚F -32)/1.8 K = ˚C + 273.15

1-7
Worked Example 1-3
Write conversion factors for each of the following equalities or statements:
a) 1 g = 1000 mg b) 1 foot = 12 inches
c) 1 quart = 0.946 liter d) The accepted toxic dose of
mercury is 0.30 mg per day.
Solution

Equality Conversion factor Conversion factor

1g 1000 mg
1 g = 1000 mg
1000 mg 1g

1 ft. 12 in.
1 foot = 12 inches
12 in. 1 ft.

1 t. 0. 4
1 quart = 0.946 liter
0. 4 1 t.
The accepted toxic dose of 0.30 mg 1 da
mercury is 0.30 mg per day.
1 da 0.30 mg

1.7 Problem Solving in Chemistry - Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a general method for solving numerical problems in chemistry.
In this method we follow the rule that when multiplying or dividing numbers, we must
also multiply or divide units.

Solving problems by dimensional analysis is a three-step process.

1. Write down the given measurement; number with units.
2. Multiply the measurement by one or more conversion factors. The unit in each
denominator must cancel (match) the preceding unit in each numerator.
3. Perform the calculation and report the answer to the proper significant figures based
on numbers given in the question (data), not conversion factors used.

1-8
Worked Example 1-4
Convert 0.455 km to meters.

Solution
To convert kilometers to meters, we could use the following equality:
1 km = 1000 m (See Table 1.1)

The corresponding conversion factors would be:

We select the conversion factor to cancel kilometers, leaving units of meters.

The number of significant figures in your answer reflect 0.455 km. The exact
conversion factor does not limit the number of significant figures in your answer.

Worked Example 1-5

Convert 4.5 weeks to minutes.

Solution

(45360 rounded to 2 sig figs.)

Worked Example 1-6

Convert 2.7 g/mL to lb/L.

Solution
We need two conversion factors: one to convert g to lb and the other to convert
mL to L. We know that 1 lb= 454 g and 1 L = 1000 mL (See Table 1.1)

Remember that the number of significant figures in your answer reflect 2.7. The
conversion factors do not limit the number of significant figures in your answer.

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Practice 1-7
Perform each of the following conversions:
a) Convert 14.7 lb to ounces. b) Convert 19.8 lb to kilograms.
c) Convert 23 m/sec to mi/hr.

Answer

Conversion Calculation
Convert
14.7 lb to
16 oz
ounces 14.7 lb x = 235 oz
1 lb
Convert
19.8 lb to 1 kg
kilograms 19.8 lb x = 9.00 kg
2.20 lb
Convert 23
m/sec to
23 m 1 km 1.0 mi 3600 sec mi
mi/hr.
x x x = 51
1.0 sec 1000 m 1.61 km 1 hr hr

1.8 Density and Specific Gravity

Density is the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume occupied by that substance.

Density is expressed in different units depending on the phase (form) of the substance.
Solids are usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3), while liquids are
commonly grams per milliliter (g/mL). The density of gases is usually expressed as
grams per liter (g/L).

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Worked Example 1-7
If 10.4 mL of a liquid has a mass of 9.142 g, what is its density?

Solution

Density can be used as a conversion factor that relates mass and volume, note the
different units in the numerator and denominator. Densities can be used to calculate mass
if volume is given or calculate volume given mass. For example, we can write two
conversion factors for a given density of 1.05 g/mL:

1.05 g 1.00 mL
or
1.00 mL 1.05 g

Worked Example 1-8

The density of a saline solution is 1.05 g/mL. Calculate the mass of a 377.0 mL
sample.

Solution

Practice 1-8
The density of rubbing alcohol is 0.786 g/mL. What volume of rubbing alcohol
would you use if you needed 32.0 g?

Answer

We use the density as a conversion factor:

1.00 mL
V = 32.0 g x = 40.7 mL
0.786 g

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Specific Gravity is the ratio of the density of liquid to the density of water at 4C,
which is 1.00 g/mL. Since specific gravity is a ratio of two densities, the units cancel.

An instrument called a hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity of liquids.

Worked Example 1-9

What is the specific gravity of jet fuel if the density is 0.775 g/mL?

Solution

Practice 1-9
A 50.0 mL sample of blood has a mass of 53.2 g.
a) Calculate the density of the blood.
b) Calculate the specific gravity of the blood.

Answer

m 53.2 g
d = a) d = = 1.06 g/mL
V 50.0 mL
density of blood 1.06 g/mL
specific gravity = = = 1.06
density of water 1.00 g/mL

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1.9 Temperature Scales

Temperature, reported in Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C), is used to indicate how hot or
cold an object is. The SI unit for reporting temperature is Kelvin (K).

See the comparison of the three scales:

Freezing point Boiling point Normal body

of water of water temperature

Fahrenheit 32F 212F 98.6F

Celsius 0C 100C 37C
Kelvin 273 K 373 K 310 K

The following formulas show the conversions:

(F - 32)
Fahrenheit to Celsius: C =
1.8

Celsius to Fahrenheit: F = 1.8 C + 32

Celsius to Kelvin: K = C + 273

Practice 1-10
Complete the following table.

Fahrenheit Celsius Kelvin

88F
-55C
469K

Answer

Fahrenheit Celsius Kelvin

88F 31C 304 K
-67F -55C 218 K
385F 196C 469 K

1-13
1.10 Heat and Specific Heat

Heat and temperature are both a measure of energy. Heat, however, is not the same as
temperature. Heat measures the total energy, whereas temperature measures the
average energy. A gallon of hot water at 200F has much more heat energy than a
teaspoon of hot water at same temperature.
Heat can be measured in various units. The most commonly used unit is calorie (cal).
The calorie is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram
of water by 1°C. This is a small unit, and more often we use kilocalories (kcal).

1 kcal = 1000 cal

utritionist use the word “Ca orie” (with a capita “C”) to mean the same thing as
kilocalorie.

1 Cal = 1000 cal = 1 kcal

The unit of energy in SI unit is joule (pronounced “jool”), which is about four times as
big as the calorie:

1 cal = 4.184 J

Specific Heat
Substances change temperature when heated, but not all substances have their
temperature raised to the same extent when equal amounts of heat are added.

Specific Heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a
substance by one degree Celsius. It is measured in units of cal/g·°C or J/g·°C.

(Recall; 1 cal is required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C, the specific
heat of water is therefore: 1.00 cal/g·°C, or 4.184 J/g·°C).

Specific heats for some substances in various states are listed in the following table. A
substance with a high specific heat is capable of absorbing more heat with a small
temperature change than a substance with lower specific heat.

1-14
Specific Heats for Some Common Substances

Substance Specific Heat (J/g·°C)

Solids
gold 0.128
copper 0.385
aluminum 0.903
ice 2.06
Liquids
mercury 0.138
methanol 1.77
ethanol 2.42
water 4.18
Gases
argon 0.518
oxygen 0.915
nitrogen 1.041
steam 2.03

We can calculate the amount of heat gained or lost by a substance using its specific heat,
its measured mass, and the temperature change.

Amount of heat = mass x specific heat x change in temperature*

q = m x SH x (Tfinal – Tinitial)

* The temperature change cou d a so e written as Δ (delta T).

If any three of the four quantities in the equation are known, the fourth quantity can be
calculated.

Worked Example 1-10

Determine the amount of heat that is required to raise the temperature of 7.400 g
of water from 29.0°C to 46.0°C. The specific heat of water is 4.18 J/g·°C.

Solution

q = m x SH x ΔT
q = 7.400 g x 4.18 J/g·°C x 17.0°C = 526 J

1-15
Practice 1-11
What mass of lead is needed to absorb 348 J of heat if the temp of the sample
rises from 35.2°C to 78.0°C? The specific heat of lead is 0.129 J/g·°C.

Answer

q = m x SH x T
q
so m=
SH x T
348 J
m= = 63.0 g
0.129 J/g°C x 42.8°C

Practice 1-12
It takes 87.6 J of heat to raise the temp of 51.0 g of a metal by 3.9°C. Calculate
the specific heat of the metal.

Answer

q = m x SH x T
q
so SH =
m x T
87.6 J
SH = = 0.44 J/g°C
51.0 g x 3.9°C

1-16
Practice 1-13
4.00 x 103 J of energy is transferred to 56.0 g of water at 19°C. Calculate the final
temperature of water. SH = 4.18 J/g·°C.

Answer

4.00 x 103 J
ΔT = ------------------------- = 17.1°C
56.0 g x 4.18 J/g·°C

ΔT = Tfinal - Tinitial 17.1°C = Tf - 19°C Tf = 36°C

1-17
Homework Problems
1.1 Complete the following table.

Decimal notation Scientific notation Number of significant figures

400,000
0.000600
21,995,000
0.05050
7.28 x 103
3.608 x 10-5
9.4090 x 104
1.5 x 10-3

1.2 Perform the following calculations to correct number of significant figures.

a. 4.6 x 0.00300 x 193
b. 8.88 ÷ 99.40
c. (7.120 x 10-3) ÷ (6.000 x 10-5)
d. (5.92 x 103) x 3.87 ÷ 100

1.3 Perform the following calculations to correct number of significant figures.

a. 102 – 5.31 – 0.480
b. (3.42 x 10-4) + (5.007 x 10-4)
c. 7.8 - (8.3 x 10-2)
d. (3.8 x 106) - (8.99 x 106)

1.4 Perform the following conversions. Show your set ups.

a. 683 nanometer (nm) to angstrom (Å)
b. 520 mi/h to m/sec
c. 0.714 g/cm3 to lb/ft3
d. -164°C to °F

1.5 A physician has ordered 37.5 mg of a particular drug over 15 minutes. If the drug
was available as 2.5 mg/mL of solution, how many mL would you need to give
every 15 seconds?

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1.6 What is the density of a metal sample if a15.12-g sample is added into a
graduated cylinder increased the liquid level from 35.00 mL to 40.60 mL?

1.7 The density of copper is 8.96 g/cm3. You have three different solid samples of
copper. One is rectangular with dimensions 2.3 cm x 3.1 cm x 8.0 cm. The
second is a cube with edges of 3.8 cm. The third is a cylinder with a radius of
1.5 cm and a height of 8.4 cm. Calculate the mass of each sample.

1.8 A 50.00-g sample of metal at 78.0°C is dropped into cold water. If the metal
sample cools to 17.0°C and the specific heat of metal is 0.108 cal/g·°C, how
much heat is released?

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