1. West Valley High School
Chapter MEASUREMENT
Unit Conversions
West Valley High School
General Chemistry
Mr. Mata

2. Dimensional Analysis The “Factor-Label” Method
Units, or “labels” are canceled, or “factored” out.

3. Dimensional Analysis Steps: 1. Identify starting & ending units.
2. Line up conversion factors so units cancel.
3. Multiply all top numbers & divide by product of bottom numbers.
4. Check units & final answer.

4. Dimensional Analysis 1 in = 2.54 cm = 1 2.54 cm 2.54 cm 1 in = 2.54 cm
Lining up conversion factors:
= 1
1 in = 2.54 cm
2.54 cm cm
1 =
1 in = 2.54 cm
1 in in

5. Dimensional Analysis 8 cm 1 in 2.54 cm = 3.1 in cm in
Your European hairdresser wants to cut your hair 8 cm shorter. How many inches will he be cutting off? cm in
8 cm
1 in
2.54 cm
= 3.1 in

6. Dimensional Analysis 1 qt 1 L 1.057 qt 1000 mL 1 L = 946 mL qt mL
How many mL are in 1 quart of milk? qt mL
1 qt
1 L
1.057 qt
1000 mL
1 L
= 946 mL 

7. Dimensional Analysis 75 in3 2.54 cm3 1 in3 1 L 1000 cm3 = 0.19 L in3 L
How many liters of water would fill a container that measures 75 in3?
in3 L
75 in3
2.54 cm3
1 in3
1 L
1000 cm3
= 0.19 L

8. Dimensional Analysis 1.3 m 100 cm 1 m 1 piece 1.5 cm = 87 pieces m
A piece of wire is 1.3 m long. How many 1.5-cm pieces can be cut from this wire? m
pieces
1.3 m
100 cm
1 m
1 piece
1.5 cm
= 87 pieces

9. Dimensional Analysis 1.5 lb 1 kg 2.2 lb 1000 g 1 kg 1 cm3 19.3 g
You have 1.5 pounds of gold. Find its volume in cm3 if the density of gold is 19.3 g/cm3. lb
cm3
1.5 lb
1 kg
2.2 lb
1000 g
1 kg
1 cm3
19.3 g
= 35 cm3

10. Dimensional Analysis 550 cm 1 in 2.54 cm 1 ft 12 in 1 yd 3 ft = 6.0 yd
West Valley football needs 550 cm for a 1st down. How many yards is this? cm yd
550 cm
1 in
2.54 cm
1 ft
12 in
1 yd
3 ft
= 6.0 yd

11. Chapter 2 SUTW Prompt
Describe how measurements of SI units, conversion factors, & dimensional analysis are used.
Complete a 8-10 sentence paragraph using the SUTW paragraph format. Hilite using green, yellow, and pink.
Due Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 in your Interactive Notebook (INB) (output side; left side of page).