Transcript Document

Section 5.3
09/24/07
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
Objectives
1. To learn how dimensional ______________ can be
used to solve problems
2. To learn to ___________ from one metric unit to
another
3. To learn to convert between _______ units and
standard _____ units
4. To practice using problem solving techniques
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
A. Tools for Problem Solving
• Be systematic
• Ask yourself these questions
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
A. Tools for Problem Solving
Converting Units of Measurement
• We can convert from one ___________ of units to
another by a method called _____________________
using conversion factors.
• Unit1  _______________________ = Unit2
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
A. Tools for Problem Solving
Converting Units of Money
• Conversion factors are built from an
________________________which shows the
______________ between the units in different systems.
• Conversion factors are ____________ of the two parts of
the equivalence statement that relate the two units.
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
Using Simple Dimensional Analysis
• Example 1: You have 12 nickels and to save pocket
space you want to trade them to your friend for dimes.
How many dimes would you have?
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
Using Simple Dimensional Analysis
• Example 2: It takes you 2.6 days to travel to a remote
get away in California. How many seconds will it take
you?
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
Using Dimensional Analysis
• Use the same method to convert metric to metric. How
many centimeters are in 2.5 meters?
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
A. Tools for Problem Solving
Converting Units of Measure
2.85 cm = ? in.
2.85 cm  conversion factor = ? in.
Equivalence statement
_______ cm = 1 in.
Possible conversion factors
Does this answer make sense?
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
***THINGS TO REMEMBER when doing Conversions
1. Take what you are given
-i.e. What is/are my ____________?
2. Determine what units want to convert to
-i.e. What is/are the unit(s) I want in my final answer
(what are the _________________)?
3. Find the ___________________________.
-To convert between any units you must have
_____________________
4. What is/are the possible _____________ factors?
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
***THINGS TO REMEMBER when doing Conversions cont…
5. Choose the conversion factor that fits your __________.
6. Conversion factor should be a __________.
7. The unit you want to get rid of should be on the ______
(i.e. in the denominator) to cancel out (or on the top
depending on your conversion)
8. The ending unit should be on the ________ (i.e. in the
numerator)
-The answer should make sense if you got to the right
unit(s)
9. Check you Sig. Figs.
-Remember the EXACT NUMBERS Sig. Figs. Rule???
Section 5.3
Problem Solving and Unit Conversions
A. Tools for Problem Solving
Tools for Converting from One Unit to Another
Step 1 Find an equivalence statement that relates the 2
units.
Step 2 Choose the conversion factor by looking at the
direction of the required change (cancel the
unwanted units).
Step 3 Multiply the original quantity by the conversion
factor.
Step 4 Make sure you have the correct number of
significant figures.