Scribd
Upload
5 views2 pages

physics

Conversion factors are crucial for changing measurements between different units within the same base quantity, such as length, mass, time, and temperature. Each base quantity has specific conversion factors that can be applied to convert values accurately. Important considerations include maintaining significant figures, ensuring unit consistency, and using dimensional analysis to verify calculations.

Uploaded by

Joanna Juan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views2 pages

physics

Conversion factors are crucial for changing measurements between different units within the same base quantity, such as length, mass, time, and temperature. Each base quantity has specific conversion factors that can be applied to convert values accurately. Important considerations include maintaining significant figures, ensuring unit consistency, and using dimensional analysis to verify calculations.

Uploaded by

Joanna Juan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Conversion factors are essential tools for changing a measurement from one

unit to another within the same base quantity. They are based on the
established relationships between different units of measurement.
Understanding conversion factors requires a solid grasp of the base
quantities themselves. Let's explore this in detail, organized by base
quantity:

II. Conversion Factors for Each Base Quantity:

A. Length: - Meters (m) to Centimeters (cm): 1 m = 100 cm (Conversion


factor: 100 cm/1 m or 1 m/100 cm)

- Meters (m) to Kilometers (km): 1 km = 1000 m (Conversion factor: 1000


m/1 km or 1 km/1000 m)

- Meters (m) to Inches (in): 1 m ≈ 39.37 in (Conversion factor: 39.37 in/1 m


or 1 m/39.37 in)

- Meters (m) to Feet (ft): 1 m ≈ 3.281 ft (Conversion factor: 3.281 ft/1 m or 1


m/3.281 ft)

- Miles (mi) to Kilometers (km): 1 mi ≈ 1.609 km (Conversion factor: 1.609


km/1 mi or 1 mi/1.609 km)

B. Mass: - Kilograms (kg) to Grams (g): 1 kg = 1000 g (Conversion factor:


1000 g/1 kg or 1 kg/1000 g)

- Kilograms (kg) to Milligrams (mg): 1 kg = 1,000,000 mg (Conversion factor:


1,000,000 mg/1 kg or 1 kg/1,000,000 mg)

- Kilograms (kg) to Pounds (lb): 1 kg ≈ 2.205 lb (Conversion factor: 2.205


lb/1 kg or 1 kg/2.205 lb)

- Pounds (lb) to Ounces (oz): 1 lb = 16 oz (Conversion factor: 16 oz/1 lb or 1


lb/16 oz)

C. Time: - Seconds (s) to Minutes (min): 1 min = 60 s (Conversion factor: 60


s/1 min or 1 min/60 s)

- Seconds (s) to Hours (hr): 1 hr = 3600 s (Conversion factor: 3600 s/1 hr or


1 hr/3600 s)

- Minutes (min) to Hours (hr): 1 hr = 60 min (Conversion factor: 60 min/1 hr


or 1 hr/60 min)

- Days to Seconds: 1 day = 86400 s


D. Electric Current (Ampere): Conversions are typically within the SI system
(milliamperes, kiloamperes, etc.) using powers of 10.

E. Thermodynamic Temperature (Kelvin): Conversions often involve Celsius


(°C) and Fahrenheit (°F):

- Kelvin (K) to Celsius (°C): K = °C + 273.15 (requires a formula, not just a


simple ratio)

- Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F): °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32 (requires a formula,


not just a simple ratio)

F. Amount of Substance (Mole): Conversions often involve Avogadro's


number (6.022 x 10²³ particles/mol).

G. Luminous Intensity (Candela): Conversions are less common for everyday


use.

III. Using Conversion Factors:

To convert a measurement, multiply the original value by the appropriate


conversion factor. Choose the conversion factor that cancels the original unit
and leaves the desired unit. For example:

To convert 2.5 meters to centimeters:

2.5 m × (100 cm / 1 m) = 250 cm

The "m" units cancel, leaving the answer in centimeters.

IV. Important Considerations:

- Significant Figures: Pay attention to significant figures when performing


calculations involving conversion factors. The result should not have more
significant figures than the least precise measurement.

- Unit Consistency: Ensure all units are consistent throughout the calculation.

- Dimensional Analysis: This technique helps verify that the units cancel
correctly, leading to the desired unit in the final answer.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy