Dimensional Analysis in Chemistry

Unit 1 Lesson 6: Dimensional Analysis

by Ryan McCluskey

Fill in the Blank

How many feet are in 360 inches?

Open Ended

How did you solve this problem? Why did you use the number 12?

This is all dimensional analysis is used for​. When converting units we mulitply or divide the number. Dimensional Analysis is process of setting up your work to determine whether multiplication or division should be used by canceling units.

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​Dimensional Analysis

We can use dimensional analysis with a mixture of units including metrics.

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Convert 67.5 inches to meters.

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Use the conversion factor

1 in. = 2.54 cm.​

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Another Example

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We can use dimensional analysis with a mixture of units including metrics.

​

Convert 67.5 inches to meters.

​

Use the conversion factor

1 in. = 2.54 cm.​

​

​

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STEP 1

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We can use dimensional analysis with a mixture of units including metrics.

​

Convert 67.5 inches to meters.

​

Use the conversion factor

1 in. = 2.54 cm.​

​

​

​

STEP 2

​

We can use dimensional analysis with a mixture of units including metrics.

​

Convert 67.5 inches to meters.

​

Use the conversion factor

1 in. = 2.54 cm.​

​

​

​

STEP 3

​

We can use dimensional analysis with a mixture of units including metrics.

​

Convert 67.5 inches to meters.

​

Use the conversion factor

1 in. = 2.54 cm.​

​

​

​

STEP 4

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following conversion would you use to convert 23 km to dm?

•   $$\frac{1000\ km}{1\ dm}$$

• $$\frac{1\ km}{1000\ dm}$$  

• $$\frac{1000\ dm}{1\ km}$$  

• $$\frac{1\ dm}{1000\ km}$$