1.6 Dimensional Analysis Earlier we mentioned that for numerical problems we often do not have a specific equa- tion co solvg; instead, all we need to do is convert one set of units to another. After analyz- ing the problem and assembling the necessary information to solve it, scientists usually use 4 technique commonly called dimensional analysis co help them perform the correct arithmetic. As you will see, this method also helps in analyzing the problem and selecting the tools needed to solve it. Conversion Factors In dimensional analysis we treat a numerical problem as one involving a conversion of units (the dimensions) from one kind to another. To do this we use one or more conversion factors to change the units of the given quantity to the units of the answer: (given quantity) x (conversion factor) = (desired quantity) A conversion factor is a fraction formed fiom a valid equality or equivalence between units and is used 10 switch from one stem of measurement and units 0 another. To illustrate, sup- pose we want to express a person's height of 72.0 inches in centimeters. To do this we need the relationship between the inch and the centimeter. We can obtain this from Table 1.4: 2.54cm=1in. (exaculy) (1.4) If we divide both sides of this equation by 1 in., we obtain a conversion factor. 254m _ lim li me =1 lin. Notice chat we have canceled the units from both the numerator and denominator of the center fraction, leaving the first fraction equaling 1. As mentioned eatlics, units behave just cas numbers do in mathematical operations, this is a key part of dimensional analysis. Let’s see whar happens if we multiply 72.0 inches, the height that we mentioned, by this fraction. 2.54 cm 72.0 in. x = 183cm (given quantity) x (conversion factor) = (desired quantity) Because we have multiplied 72.0 in. by something that is equal to 1, we haven't changed the person's height. We have, however, changed the units. Notice that we have canceled the unit inches. The only unit left is centimeters, which is the unit we want for the answer. The result, therefore, is the person’s height in centimeters. (One of the benefits of dimensional analysis is that it often lets you know when you have done the wrong arithmetic. From the relationship in Equation 1.4, we can actually con struct two conversion factors: Wo construct a valid conversion factor, the relationship between the units must be true, For example, the statement 3 ft = 41 in. is false. Although you might make ‘a conversion factor out afi, any ‘answers you would ca tobe wrong, Correct ans correct relationshi the numbers in 1 in. = 2.54 em have an infinite number of significant, Example 1.3 We used the first one correctly, but what would have happened if'we had used the second. by mistake? lin, 2.54cm 72.0 in. x = 28.3 in2/em In this case, none of the units cancel. We get units of in./cm because inches times inches is inches squared. Even though our calculator may be very good at arithmetic, we've got the wrong answer. Dimensional analysis lets us know we have the wrong answer because the units are wrong! ‘There is a general strategy for all problems that involve a conversion. We always start with a given piece of data along with its units. Then we write down the desired units that we want the answer to have. This gives us the start and end points of our calculation. Then, all we need to do is find the correct conversion factors chat will lead us from one set of units to the next. Sometimes this will require one conversion factor, other times it may take two or more to complete the conversion. The next examples illustrate this process. Dimensional Analysis Applied to Metric Prefixes ‘The world’s longest documented hair in 2004 belonged to Xie Qiuping of China and was measured at 5.627 m. Convert 5.627 m to millimeters (mim). Analysis: We arc asked to convert a number with meter units to another number that has millimerer units, a problem that involves conversion of metric prefixes, Assembling the Tools: To solve this problem, our tool will be a conversion factor that relates the unit meter co the unit millimeter. From Table 1.5, the table of decimal multipli- cers, the prefix “milli” means “x 1073,” so we can write Imm = 107m tf Notice that thi relationship connects the units given tothe urs desired. From this relationship, we can form two conversion factors. Imm 1073 m wm and 107? m Imm ‘We now have all the information we need to solve the problem. Solution: We start with the given quantity and its units on the left and the units of the desized answer on the tight 5.627 m =? mm ‘We have to cancel the unit meter, so we need to multiply by the conversion factor with meter in the denominator. Therefore, we select the one on the left as our tool. This gives 5.627 m x LEM — 5,697 x 10° = 5.627 x 10° mm 1079 im Notice that we have expressed the answer to four significant figures because that is how many there are in the given quantity, 5.627 m. The equality that relates meters and milli- meters involves exact numbers because it is a definition. Is the Answer Reasonable? We know chat millimeters are much smaller than meters, 0 5.627 m must represent a lot of millimeters. We also know that conversions between, prefixes will not change the 5.627 part of our number, just the power of 10. Our answer, therefore, makes sense.[ Example 1.4 Using Dimensional Analysis iter, which is slightly larger than a quart, is defined as 1 cubic decimeter (1 dm’). How many liters are there in exactly 1 cubic meter (1 m°)? © Analysis: Lers begin once again by stating the problem in equation form. L ‘We don't have any direct conversions between cubic meters and liters. There was, however, a defir in of the liter in terms of base metric units that we can combine with metric prefixes to do the job. Im = @ Assembling the Tools: The relationship between liters and cubic decimeters was given in Equation 1.1, 1L=1dm* From the table of decimal multipliers, we also know the relationship between decimeters and meters, 1dm=0.1m but we need a relationship between cubic units. Since units undergo the same kinds of operations numbers do, we simply cube each side of this equation (being careful to cube both the numbers and the units). (1 dm) = (0.1 m)> 1 dm? = 0,001 m* (1.5) Notice how Equations 1.5 and 1.1 provide a path from the given units to those we seck In the pathway below, the equalities are shown inside the colored arrows, but we still need o make the appropriate ratio using the eq Ido =0.001 mm? md ‘Now we are ready to solve the problem. © Solution: ‘The first step is to eliminate the units m’, using Equation 1.5. Im * Door me = 1000dm ‘Then we use Equation 1.1 to rake us from dm? to L, L Tani = 10001 1000 dm? x “Thus, 1 m? = 1000 L. Whena problem involves the use of ewo or more conversion factors, often they can be “strung together” in a “chain calculation.” For example, this problem can be set up as follows. Ide? 1 tier ++ = 10001 * 001m * Td Since all of our conversion factors involve exact numbers and we were given exactly one cubic meter, our answer is an exact number also. 1m @ Is the Answer Reasonable? One liter is about a quart. A cubic meter is about a cubic yard. Therefore, we expect a large number of liters in a cubic meter, so our answer seems reasonable, (Notice here that in our analysis we have approximated the quantities in the calculation in units of quarts and cubic yards, which may be more familiar chan livers and m®, We get a feel for the approximate magnitude of the answer using our familiar units and then relate this to the actual units of the problem.)[ Example 1.4 Using Dimensional Analysis iter, which is slightly larger than a quart, is defined as 1 cubic decimeter (1 dm’). How many liters are there in exactly 1 cubic meter (1 m°)? © Analysis: Lers begin once again by stating the problem in equation form. L ‘We don't have any direct conversions between cubic meters and liters. There was, however, a defir in of the liter in terms of base metric units that we can combine with metric prefixes to do the job. Im = @ Assembling the Tools: The relationship between liters and cubic decimeters was given in Equation 1.1, 1L=1dm* From the table of decimal multipliers, we also know the relationship between decimeters and meters, 1dm=0.1m but we need a relationship between cubic units. Since units undergo the same kinds of operations numbers do, we simply cube each side of this equation (being careful to cube both the numbers and the units). (1 dm) = (0.1 m)> 1 dm? = 0,001 m* (1.5) Notice how Equations 1.5 and 1.1 provide a path from the given units to those we seck In the pathway below, the equalities are shown inside the colored arrows, but we still need o make the appropriate ratio using the eq Ido =0.001 mm? md ‘Now we are ready to solve the problem. © Solution: ‘The first step is to eliminate the units m’, using Equation 1.5. Im * Door me = 1000dm ‘Then we use Equation 1.1 to rake us from dm? to L, L Tani = 10001 1000 dm? x “Thus, 1 m? = 1000 L. Whena problem involves the use of ewo or more conversion factors, often they can be “strung together” in a “chain calculation.” For example, this problem can be set up as follows. Ide? 1 tier ++ = 10001 * 001m * Td Since all of our conversion factors involve exact numbers and we were given exactly one cubic meter, our answer is an exact number also. 1m @ Is the Answer Reasonable? One liter is about a quart. A cubic meter is about a cubic yard. Therefore, we expect a large number of liters in a cubic meter, so our answer seems reasonable, (Notice here that in our analysis we have approximated the quantities in the calculation in units of quarts and cubic yards, which may be more familiar chan livers and m®, We get a feel for the approximate magnitude of the answer using our familiar units and then relate this to the actual units of the problem.)Is the Answer Reasonable? Let's do some approximate arithmetic to get a feel for the size of the answer. A meter is slightly longer than a yard, so lets approximate the given distance, 2500 m, as 2500 yd. In 2500 yd, there are 3 x 2500 = 7500 ft. Since the meter is a bit longer than a yard, our answer should be a bit longer than 7500 ft, so the answer ‘of 8200 fr seems to be reasonable. Use dimensional analysis to convert an area of 124 square feet to square meters. (Hine: ‘Whar relationships would be required to convert feet o meters?) ‘Use dimensional analysis to perform the following conversions: (a) 3.00 yd? to inches*, (b) 1.25 km to centimeters, (c) 3.27 ounces to grams, (d) 20.2 miles/gallon to kilomerersfliter. Equivalencies Up to now we've constructed conversion factors from relationships that are literally equali- ties, We can also make conversion factors fom expressions that show how one thing is mivalent to another, For instance, if you buy a pair of shoes for $85, we can say you converted $85 into a pair of shocs or $85 is equivalent to a pair of shocs. We would write this as $85 <> 1 pair of shoes where the symbol + is read as “is equivalent to.” Mathematically, this equivalence sign works the same as an equal sign and we ean construct two conversion factors: $85 1 pair of shoes 1 pait ofshoes $85 that allow us to convert from shoes to dollars or from dollars to shoes. We can use the first conversion factor to determine how much it would cost to buy three pairs of shoes: 385 2 __) < s: 3 an oan ) $255 “The “units” pairs of shoes cancel, leaving just the cost of the shoes, $255. Practice Exercise 1.11 Practice Exercise 1.12 The equivalonca symbol, +, acte just like an equal sign.