Dimensional Analysis in Chemistry

Unit 1 Lesson 6: Dimensional Analysis

by Ryan McCluskey

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.

​

​Dimensional Analysis

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.​

​

​

​

Another Example

​

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 1

​

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

​

Multiple Choice

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

•   $$\frac{1000\ km}{1\ dm}$$

• $$\frac{1\ km}{1000\ dm}$$  

• $$\frac{1000\ dm}{1\ km}$$  

• $$\frac{1\ dm}{1000\ km}$$