Unit Conversion Factors to Know for Physical Sciences Math Tools

Unit conversion factors are essential tools in physical sciences, helping us switch between different measurement systems. By mastering metric prefixes and various conversions—like length, mass, volume, and temperature—we can ensure accuracy in scientific calculations and real-world applications.

1. Metric prefixes (kilo-, centi-, milli-, etc.)

   • Metric prefixes indicate the scale of measurement, allowing for easy conversion between units.
   • Common prefixes include kilo- (10^3), centi- (10^-2), and milli- (10^-3).
   • Understanding these prefixes helps in simplifying calculations and understanding scientific notation.

2. Length conversions (meters to feet, inches to centimeters)

   • Length can be converted using the factor: 1 meter = 3.28084 feet.
   • To convert inches to centimeters, use the factor: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.
   • Familiarity with these conversions is essential for accurate measurements in various fields.

3. Mass conversions (kilograms to pounds, grams to ounces)

   • 1 kilogram is approximately equal to 2.20462 pounds.
   • For grams to ounces, the conversion factor is: 1 gram = 0.03527396 ounces.
   • Understanding mass conversions is crucial in chemistry and physics for accurate calculations.

4. Volume conversions (liters to gallons, cubic meters to cubic feet)

   • 1 liter is equivalent to about 0.264172 gallons.
   • To convert cubic meters to cubic feet, use the factor: 1 cubic meter = 35.3147 cubic feet.
   • Volume conversions are important in fields like chemistry, engineering, and environmental science.

5. Temperature conversions (Celsius to Fahrenheit, Kelvin)

   • To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, use the formula: F = (C × 9/5) + 32.
   • Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale; to convert Celsius to Kelvin, use: K = C + 273.15.
   • Understanding temperature conversions is vital in thermodynamics and physical sciences.

6. Time conversions (seconds to minutes, hours to days)

   • 1 minute equals 60 seconds, and 1 hour equals 60 minutes.
   • To convert hours to days, use the factor: 1 day = 24 hours.
   • Time conversions are essential for calculations in physics and engineering.

7. Speed conversions (meters per second to kilometers per hour)

   • To convert meters per second to kilometers per hour, multiply by 3.6 (1 m/s = 3.6 km/h).
   • Understanding speed conversions is important in physics, particularly in kinematics.

8. Energy conversions (joules to calories, electron volts)

   • 1 joule is approximately equal to 0.239006 calories.
   • 1 electron volt (eV) is equal to 1.60218 × 10^-19 joules.
   • Energy conversions are crucial in thermodynamics and various scientific calculations.

9. Pressure conversions (pascals to atmospheres, mmHg)

   • 1 pascal is equal to 0.00000986923 atmospheres.
   • To convert pascals to mmHg, use the factor: 1 pascal = 0.00750062 mmHg.
   • Pressure conversions are important in fields like meteorology and fluid dynamics.

10. Force conversions (newtons to pounds-force)

    • 1 newton is approximately equal to 0.224809 pounds-force.
    • Understanding force conversions is essential in mechanics and engineering applications.