Factor - Label Method

W h a t is it?

F a c t o r - L a b e l

The most important mathematical process in chemistry.

Treats numbers and units equally.

Multiply what is given by fractions equal to one to

convert units.

Examples:

Convert 1000 grams to pounds:

1000 gramsú 1pound = 2.2 pounds

ú 454 grams

T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S y s t e m o f

M e a s u r e m e n t

S I B a s e U n i t s

M a s s - K i l o g r a m

L e n g t h - M e t e r

T i m e - S e c o n d

T e m p e r a t u r e - K e l v i n

A m o u n t o f s u b s t a n c e - M o l e

E l e c t r i c c u r r e n t - A m p e r e

L i g h t i n t e n s i t y - C a n d e l a

D e r i v e d U n i t s

C o m b i n a t i o n o f B a s e U n i t s

A r e a = l e n g t h ²

V o l u m e = l e n g t h ³

D e n s i t y = m a s s / v o l u m e

S I P r e f i x e s

M e g a - 1 000 000

K i l o - 1 000

D e c i - 0 . 1

C e n t i - 0 . 01

M i l l i - 0 . 001

M i c r o - 0 . 000 001

N a n o - 0 . 000 000 001

D i f f e r e n t V o l u m e U n i t s

L i t e r = C u b i c D e c i m e t e r

M i l l i l i t e r = C u b i c C e n t i m e t e r