Do we need to memorize unit conversions? [ENDORSED]

[004338125]

Do we need to memorize the unit conversions?

For example:

nm = x10^-9m
pm = x10^-12m

[Chem_Mod]

Yes. You should have such unit conversions memorized.

For example, on a quiz you may be given the size of an object in nanometers. You must know how to convert this to the SI base unit meter for use in formulas (1 m = 10^-9 nm).

Here is the list of commonly used metric prefixes:

• mega (M) : 10⁶
• kilo (k) : 10³
• hecto (h) : 10²
• deca (da) : 10¹
• deci (d) : 10^-1
• centi (c) : 10^-2
• milli (m) : 10^-3
• micro (μ) : 10^-6
• nano (n) : 10^-9

[tinaZ]

For metric to metric unit conversions, yes, but for metric to US (i.g. meters to inches or mL to pints) you don't have to memorize.
also, 1cm^3=1mL

[504549031]

What other unit conversions must be memorized for the exams in Chem 14A?

[skalvakota2H]

Other conversions that may prove useful include:
1000mL = 1L, for volume analysis
1000 g = 1kg for mass analysis

Knowing the difference will make converting units easier when doing dimensional analysis.

[Robert Estrada]

Should we also have the 3 temperature conversions memorized?

[Sophie 1I]

Some temperature conversions that are good to know:
When going from Celsius to Kelvin you add 273.15 to the temperature in Celsius (and subtract 273.15 going from kelvin to celsius)
Celsius= (Fahrenheit-32)x(5/9)

[Lianna Kishi 1A]

Is there any easy way to remember metric prefixes? For example, a mnemonic that would help me remember what each one corresponds to or the order of them? Thanks!

[Michelle Pham_3H]

One way that I remember metric prefixes is kind of antiquated and silly, but I learned it in middle school and I still use it now. It's an acronym called "King Henry Dances Up Down Chocolate Mountain", and it gives you the order of the metric prefixes from largest to smallest (kilo-, hecto-, deka-, etc). So what I normally do is I write the first letters down on paper (k h d u d c m) and you can use this to convert between the different prefixes. For example, if you have 3 grams and you need to convert it to milligrams, m is three milligrams to the right of u. That means you would move the decimal place 3 times to the right and you'd have 3,000 mg.

[Dennisse Diaz 1D]

Does anyone know any helpful ways to memorize these conversions?