M O N A S H

U N I V E R S I T Y

FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

PSC1031
TUTORIAL SHEET for Unit Conversions
__________________________________________________________________________
Learning Objectives. By the end of this tutorial, students should be able to
apply dimensional analysis as a way of evaluating units of variables and constants within
equations
analyse the units in an equation as an efficient way of evaluating whether an equation is
correct
carry out conversions between quantities expressed in different units
Dimensional analysis is the manipulation (conversion) of units. Main uses of dimensional analysis:
1. Determination of units for a variable in an equation
2. Application of the usual rules of algebra to determine whether an equation is correct,
dimensionally.
Equations describe relationships between variables and, therefore, must always make sense. One
key to ensuring the sense of equation is to recognise the literal meaning of the = sign: the
quantity on the left hand side (LHS) must be precisely equivalent (equal!) to the quantity on the
right hand side (RHS). The validity of an equation may be easily checked by carrying out the
dimensional analysis. The principle is simple: the units in an equation should always balance. The
rules are:
i. quantities can be added or subtracted only if they have the same units (dimensions) [no
sense in adding kilograms to meters]
ii.
quantities on each side of an equation must have the same units (dimensions)
To carry out a dimensional analysis, each variable should be replaced with its units (written in
square or curly brackets).
Problems
1.
(a) Use dimensional analysis to demonstrate that the following version of the Ideal Gas law
is incorrect: PT = nRV. (b) Prove the dimensional correctness of the right version.
2.

Consider the following recommendations.

(i) The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), a national agency set up by the
Australian Government, has found that Total blood cholesterol levels above 5.5 mmol/L are an
indication of a greatly increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.
(ii) The U.S. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has indicated that the desirable concentration
of Total cholesterol in blood should be less than 200 mg/dL.
The molar mass of cholesterol is 386.65 g/mol.
Are the American and Australian recommendations consistent or contradictory? Support your
answer with appropriate calculations.
3.
A flask weighs 43.50 g when it is empty and 105.50 g when filled with water. When the
same flask is filled with another liquid, the mass is 96.75 g. What is the density of the second
liquid?

M O N A S H

U N I V E R S I T Y

FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

PSC1031
Additional problems for Unit Conversions
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Do not use calculators for this question. Refer to the table of SI prefixes.
The ngstrm unit of length (1 = 1010 m) is used to report measurements of the dimensions of
atoms and molecules. Express the following data in angstroms (to 2 sf):
a) the radius of a sodium atom, 180 pm
b) the wavelength of yellow light, 550 nm
5. The density of diamond is 3.51 g cm3. The international (but non-SI) unit for weighing
diamonds is the carat (1 carat = 200 mg). What is the volume of a 0.750-carat diamond?
6. What volume of lead (Pb) has the same mass as 215 cm3 of a piece of redwood (W)?
density of lead = 11.3 g cm3
density of redwood = 0.38 g cm3

7. Do not use calculators for this question. Refer to the table of SI prefixes.
Express the following measurements in the designated units.
a) 4.82 nm pm
b) 1.83 mL min1 mm3 s1
c) 1.88 ng kg