Conversion Junction

Conversion Junction…What’s Your Function?

SI→SI Conversions:

Ace of Base: to ace SI to SI conversion, look no further than the number 10. Moving the decimal or changing the exponent of your base of 10 is all you need to convert one SI unit to another. To convert, count the number of exponents of difference, then either move the decimal or use dimensional analysis (more on that later).

If you are converting a larger unit to a smaller unit → move the decimal to the RIGHT
If you are converting a smaller unit to a larger unit → move the decimal to the LEFT

Ex. Convert kg to g: kg is 10³ and g is the base at 10⁰ so the difference is 3 units or 10³
so the decimal would be moved THREE places to the RIGHT.

Example:

89 mg = ______ kg [Ans: 8.9 x 10^-5]

Solution:
mg to kg (milli to kilo) is difference of 6 decimal places (10^-3 to 10⁰ which is 3 places and then again to 10³ which is another 3 places). So move the decimal 6 places.

Which direction? We are going from a small (m) to a large (k) unit so we move to the left.

So…89 mg becomes 0.000089 kg OR in proper scientific notation: 8.9 x 10^-5

SI System → American System Conversions

Since there is not a consistent change in the size of units, like in the SI system, you will need to use dimensional analysis, or a ratio method of conversion, to convert between SI and American units. The ratios used are called conversion factors, or equivalencies.

Think of conversion factors with which you are already familiar, such as currency values.

A few more useful examples are:

2.54 cm= 1 in
1 kg= 2.2 lb
1.61 km= 1 mi
0.946 L= 1 qt

We use these conversion factors and dimensional analysis to convert from one unit to another.

How to Use Dimensional Analysis:
Multiply the given unit (what is given in the problem) by the conversion factor (in fraction form) such that the given units are opposite one another, and when multiplied, cancel each other out!