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
