Conversion Factor Methodof Analysis

Conversion Factor Method

a.k.a.

Dimensional Analysis

Conversion Factor Method

a.k.a.

Dimensional Analysis

a.k.a.

Factor-Label Method

Conversion Factor Method

a.k.a.

Dimensional Analysis

a.k.a.

Factor-Label Method

a.k.a.

Unit Factor Method

Conversion Factor Method

just a tool used in chemistry . . .

Conversion Factor Method

just a tool used in chemistry . . .

. . . to use information we already

have

Conversion Factor Method

just a tool used in chemistry . . .

. . . to use information we already

have

. . . to help us find information

we need.

Conversion Factor Method

• a problem-solving method

Conversion Factor Method

• a problem-solving method

• anything can be multiplied by 1 without changing its value

Conversion Factor Method

• a problem-solving method

• anything can be multiplied by 1 without changing its value

IMPORTANT: This is the basis of the Conversion Factor Method!

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Example: 12

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Example: 12

1dozen

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Example: 12 =

1dozen

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Example: 12 = 1

1dozen

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Example: 12 = 1 =

1dozen

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Example: 12 = 1 = 1 dozen

1dozen

Conversion Factor Method

• a “conversion factor” is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equivalent, making it equal to 1

Example: 12 = 1 = 1 dozen

1dozen 12

Conversion Factor Method

• use “conversion factors” to convert from one unit to another

Conversion Factor Method

• use “conversion factors” to convert from one unit to another

• make conversion factors from any two terms that describe equivalent “amounts”

Conversion Factor Method

• use “conversion factors” to convert from one unit to another

• make conversion factors from any two terms that describe equivalent “amounts”

IMPORTANT: This is the basis of the Conversion Factor Method!

Conversion Factor Method

Example: There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

? or ?

? ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 min or ?

? ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 min or ?

60 sec ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 min or 60 sec

60 sec ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: There are 60 seconds in 1 minute.

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 min or 60 sec

60 sec 1 min

Conversion Factor Method

Example: 1 inch = 2.54 cm

Conversion Factor Method

Example: 1 inch = 2.54 cm

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

? or ?

? ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: 1 inch = 2.54 cm

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 inch or ?

? ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: 1 inch = 2.54 cm

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 inch or ?

2.54 cm ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: 1 inch = 2.54 cm

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 inch or 2.54 cm

2.54 cm ?

Conversion Factor Method

Example: 1 inch = 2.54 cm

you can make two “conversion factors” from this information:

1 inch or 2.54 cm

2.54 cm 1 inch

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: How many cm in 6 inches?

6 in. x =

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: How many cm in 6 inches?

6 in x 2.54 cm =

?

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: How many cm in 6 inches?

6 in x 2.54 cm =

1 in

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: How many cm in 6 inches?

6 in x 2.54 cm =

1 in

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: How many cm in 6 inches?

6 in x 2.54 cm =

1 in

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: How many cm in 6 inches?

6 in x 2.54 cm = 15.24

1 in

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: How many cm in 6 inches?

6 in x 2.54 cm = 15.24 cm

1 in

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x =

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x 1 in =

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x 1 in =

?

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x 1 in =

2.54 cm

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x 1 in =

2.54 cm

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x 1 in =

2.54 cm

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x 1 in = 1.69

2.54 cm

Conversion Factor Method

Sample Problem: Express 4.3 cm in inches.

4.3 cm x 1 in = 1.69 in

2.54 cm

Conversion Factor Method

You can also use two or more conversion factors together:

Conversion Factor Method

You can also use two or more conversion factors together:

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

Conversion Factor Method

You can also use two or more conversion factors together:

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

First, think about what

unit factors you can use.

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days

1 yr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days

1 yr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days

1 yr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x

1 yr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs

1 yr 1 day

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs

1 yr 1 day

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs

1 yr 1 day

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x

1 yr 1 day

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min

1 yr 1 day 1 hr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min

1 yr 1 day 1 hr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min

1 yr 1 day 1 hr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min x

1 yr 1 day 1 hr

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min x 60 sec

1 yr 1 day 1 hr 1 min

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min x 60 sec

1 yr 1 day 1 hr 1 min

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min x 60 sec

1 yr 1 day 1 hr 1 min

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min x 60 sec =

1 yr 1 day 1 hr 1 min

Conversion Factor Method

Example: How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

2.0 yrs x 365 days x 24 hrs x 60 min x 60 sec = 63,072,000 sec

1 yr 1 day 1 hr 1 min