Key Concepts: Unit Conversions

Core Definitions

• Dimensional Analysis: A method of converting units using conversion factors to cancel unwanted units.
• Conversion Factor: A ratio equal to 1 that relates two different units (e.g., 1 km / 1000 m).
• Setting Up Conversions: Place the given unit in a position to cancel, and the desired unit in the answer position.
• Multi-step Conversion: Some conversions require more than one conversion factor chained together.
• Unit Cancellation: When a unit appears in both numerator and denominator, it cancels out.
• Always Check Units: The final answer must have the correct desired unit to verify the conversion.