1.4: Unit Analysis

DIMENSIONAL/UNIT ANALYSIS

Mathematical method used to convert between units:

Example (1):
Convert 42.6 inches into centimeters (1 inch = 2.54 cm)

42.6 in _______ cm???


Step 1= Given Value + Unit = Want Unit / Unit

①   

②  108.204 cm

③ 108 cm (3 significant figures)

Example ( 2):
Convert 500.0 miles into kilometers (1 mi = 1.6093 Km)

500.0 mi _________ Km???

① 

② 804.65 km

③ 804.7 km (4 significant figures)

Example (3): Convert 500.0 meter per second into miles per hour (1 mi = 1.6093 Km)

515 m/s _________ mi/hr???

① 

② 1152.053688 mi/hr

③ 1150 mi/hr (3 significant figures)