1. PWISTA Math of Chemistry
Problem Solving
Dimensional analysis
Factor Label Method

2. Word Problems
The laboratory does not give you numbers already plugged into a formula.
You have to decide how to get the answer.
Like word problems in math.
The chemistry book gives you word problems.

3. Problem solving 1) Identify the unknown.
Both in words and what units it will be measured in.
May need to read the question several times.
2) Identify what is given
Write it down if necessary.
Unnecessary information may also be given.

4. Problem solving 3) Plan a solution The “heart” of problem solving
Break it down into steps.
Look up needed information.
Tables
Formulas
Constants
Equations

5. Problem solving 4) Do the calculations - algebra 5) Finish up Sig Figs
Units
Check your work
Reread the question, did you answer it?
Is it reasonable?
Estimate

6. FLM
GIVEN - List all pertinent information with dimension symbol, number and unit.
FIND - List the dimension of the quantity requested in problem.
FORMULA - With the dimensions in GIVEN and FIND, list the formula of formulas that fit.

7. FLM
SOLVE - Solve the formula for what you are looking for (FIND), substitute the number values in GIVEN, and perform the math on both the units and the numbers.
ANSWER - Check the answer for likeliness, make sure the units are appropriate, express the answer in scientific notation and to the accuracy required, and draw a box around it so it is obvious which number your answer is.

8. Example of Problem Solving
How much heat is needed to raise the temperature of 56.8 g of iron by 65ºC?
1) Identify the unknown
Heat - calories.
2) Knowns
Mass, Change in temperature

9. Example of Problem Solving
3) Plan a solution
Formula Heat = SH x mass x DT
look up SH of Iron = cal/gºC
4) Do the calculations
heat = cal/gºC x 56.8 g x 65ºC
heat = cal/gºC x g x ºC
heat = 390 cal
5) Check your work.

10. Conversion factors “A ratio of equivalent measurements.”
Start with two things that are the same.
One meter is one hundred centimeters.
Write it as an equation.
1 m = 100 cm
Can divide by each side to come up with two ways of writing the number 1.

11. Conversion factors
100 cm
1 m =
100 cm

12. Conversion factors
1 m = 1
100 cm

13. Conversion factors
1 m = 1
100 cm
100 cm =
1 m
1 m

14. Conversion factors
1 m = 1
100 cm 1 =
100 cm
1 m

15. Conversion factors A unique way of writing the number 1.
In the same system they are defined quantities so they have unlimited significant figures.
Equivalence statements always have this relationship.
big # small unit = small # big unit
ex: 1000 mm = 1 m

16. Prefix
Abbreviation
Meaning
Example
mega- M
106
1 megameter (Mm) = 1 x 106 m
kilo- k
103
1 kilogram (kg) = 1 x 103 g
centi- c
10-2
1 centimeter (cm) = 1 x 10-2 m
milli- m
10-3
1 milligram (mg) = 1 x 10-3 g
micro-
 mc
10-6
1 micrometer (mcg) = 1 x 10-6   g
nano- n
10-9
1 nanogram (ng) = 1 x 10-9 g

17. Write the conversion factors for the following
kilograms to grams
feet to inches
1.096 qt. = 1.00 L

18. What are they good for?
We can multiply by one creatively to change the units .
13 inches is how many yards?
36 inches = 1 yard.
1 yard = inches
13 inches x yard = inches

19. Conversion factors
Called conversion factors because they allow us to convert units.
Really just multiplying by one, in a creative way.

20. Dimensional Analysis Dimension = unit Analyze = solve
Using the units to solve the problems.
If the units of your answer are right, chances are you did the math right.

21. How many centimeters are in 6.00 inches?

22. How many seconds are in 2.0 years?

23. Dimensional Analysis
A ruler is 12.0 inches long. How long is it in cm? ( 1 inch is 2.54 cm)
in meters?
A race is 10.0 km long. How far is this in miles?
1 mile = 1760 yds
1 meter = yds
Pikes peak is 14,110 ft above sea level. What is this in meters?

24. Multiple units The speed limit is 65 mi/hr. What is this in m/s? 65 mi
1 mile = 1760 yds
1 meter = yds
65 mi hr
1760 yd
1 mi
1.094 yd
1 m
1 hr
60 min
1 min
60 s

25. What is the density of mercury (13.6 g/cm3) in units of kg/m3?

26. Units to a Power 3 How many m3 is 1500 cm3? 1 m 100 cm 1 m 100 cm 1 m

27. Dimensional Analysis
Another measuring system has different units of measure ft = 1 fathom fathoms = 1 cable length 10 cable lengths = 1 nautical mile 3 nautical miles = 1 league
Jules Verne wrote a book 20,000 leagues under the sea. How far is this in feet?

28. FLM in Chemistry
How many atoms of hydrogen can be found in 45 g of ammonia, NH3?

29. We know 1 mole of NH3 has a mass of 17 grams.
1 mole of NH3 contains 6.02 x 1023 molecules of NH3.
1 molecule of NH3 has 3 atoms of hydrogen in it.

31. FLM example Lead is 11.3 g/cc. What is the volume of 24.5 kg of lead?
ALWAYS put the unit you want to find ON TOP!
1cc x kg x 1000g x 1 liter
11.3 g kg cc
2.168 L

32. Quiz How many millimeters are present in 20.0 inches?
The volume of a wooden block is 6.30 in3. This is equivalent to how many cubic centimeters?
A sample of calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2, with a formula weight of 164 g/mol, has 5.00 x 1027 atoms of oxygen. How many kilograms of Ca(NO3)2 are present?

33. Answers:
(1) 508 mm
(2) 103 cm3
(3) 227 kg

34. More Fun
The US Quarter has a mass of 5.67g and is approximately 1.55mm thick.
How many quarters would have to be stacked to reach 575 feet, the height of the Washington Monument?
How much would this stack weigh?
How much money would this stack contain?
How many of these stacks would be needed to pay off the national debt of 9.0 trillion dollars?