Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements

Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 14th Edition

Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249Not the one you use?Change textbook

Timberlake 14th Edition

Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements

Problem 48c

Chapter 2, Problem 48c

Write the equality and two conversion factors for each of the following pairs of units:
a. centimeters and inches

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the relationship between centimeters and inches. The standard conversion factor is that 1 inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters.

Step 2: Write the equality based on the relationship: 1 inch = 2.54 cm.

Step 3: Create the first conversion factor by expressing the equality as a fraction: \( \frac{1 \text{ inch}}{2.54 \text{ cm}} \). This conversion factor is used to convert centimeters to inches.

Step 4: Create the second conversion factor by inverting the fraction: \( \frac{2.54 \text{ cm}}{1 \text{ inch}} \). This conversion factor is used to convert inches to centimeters.

Step 5: Verify that both conversion factors are consistent with the equality and can be used interchangeably depending on the direction of the conversion.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one unit to an equivalent quantity in another unit. This is essential in fields like science and engineering, where measurements need to be consistent. Understanding the relationship between different units allows for accurate calculations and comparisons.

Conversion Factors

A conversion factor is a numerical factor used to multiply or divide a quantity when converting from one unit to another. It is derived from the equivalence between the two units. For example, to convert centimeters to inches, the conversion factor is 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters, which can be used to facilitate the conversion.

Metric and Imperial Systems

The metric system and the imperial system are two different systems of measurement. The metric system is based on powers of ten and includes units like meters and liters, while the imperial system includes units like inches and gallons. Understanding these systems is crucial for performing conversions accurately, especially in international contexts.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Write the equality and two conversion factors for each of the following pairs of units:

b. nanograms and grams

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Textbook Question

At Sandra's clinic, the medications in a. to d. are used. Write the equality and two conversion factors, and identify the numbers as exact or give the number of significant figures for each:

b. The Daily Value (DV) for selenium is 70. mcg.

Textbook Question

At Sandra's clinic, the medications in a. to d. are used. Write the equality and two conversion factors, and identify the numbers as exact or give the number of significant figures for each:

a. The label on a bottle reads 10 mg of furosemide per 1 mL.

Textbook Question

For each of the following pairs, which is the larger unit?

c. m or km

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Textbook Question

Write an equality and two conversion factors for each of the following medications:

a. 10 mg of Atarax per 5 mL of Atarax syrup

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Textbook Question

Why can two conversion factors be written for an equality such as 1 m = 100 cm?

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