Skill Builder 6 – Derived Units and Calculations Based On Units

(a.k.a., Dimensional Analysis)

Many times, you will be able to know what calculation needs to be done based on the units of the values
given and the missing value from an equation. First, you need to have the basic rules of operating with units:

Rule #1: You can NOT add two numbers that have DIFFERENT units.

Rule #2: You can NOT subtract two numbers that have DIFFERENT
units.
Rule #3: Whatever you do with units (multiply, divide, raise to a power),
you MUST do to the numbers.
Rule #4: When you have a fraction with a fraction in the bottom, you
have to flip the bottom and bring it to the top. (Easier done than said!!).

Consider these examples:

4 m + 3 s = ?. Answer: 4 m + 3 s, because of Rule #1
12 kg – 3 m = ? Answer: 12 kg – 3 m because of Rule #2
12 kg x 2 m = ? Answer: 24 kg m. Rule #3. Multiply numbers and units separately.
3m/1s= Answer: 3 m/s (velocity!) because of Rule #3.
12 g / (3 g/mol) = Answer: 4 mol because of Rule #3 and #4 (see the fraction in the bottom?)

Next knowing some memory tricks will help you know what value needs to be calculated when you are given
two (or more values). The first step is to recognize the units and make the connection to the missing value to
be calculated. Reviewing the TAKS reference sheet (back of Periodic Table) will help familiarize yourself with
the equations.

Dimensional Analysis Practice

Values Given Show Calculation for Values Given Show Calculation for
Correct Correct
Value Value
33.5 cm3, 14.1 g 14.1 s, 33.5 m
Sodium, 2.25 mol 12.5 m/s2, 35 kg
12.3 cm, 1.45 cm 7.50 $/hr, 450 $
48.35 g, Calcium 48.35 g, Gold
42.16 g/cm3, 48.32 g 42.16 g/cm3, 48.32 g

A 90-kg man on a snow sled is traveling 15 m/s when he hits a snow bank. What is the momentum
transferred to the snow bank?

If you have 14.3 g of Be (Avg. Atomic Mass = 9.012 g/mol), what amount of Be is present?

If your vehicle gets 24 miles per gallon of gas, how many gallons of gas will it take to travel 650 miles?
Dimensional Analysis Practice - Answers
Values Given Show Calculation for Values Given Show Calculation for
Correct Value Correct
Value
33.5 cm3, 14.1 g 14.1 s, 33.5 m
cm3 = volume 3 s = time
g = mass
Density = (14.1/33.5) g/cm m = length
(33.5/14.1) m/s
missing = density missing = velocity
Sodium, 2.25 mol
12.5 m/s2, 35 kg
element = avg. atomic
22.99 g/mol x 2.25 mol = m/s2 = acceleration
mass = g/mol (35 x 12.5) kg m/s2
mol = amount (22.99 x 2.25) g kg = mass
missing = force
missing = mass
12.3 cm, 1.45 cm 7.50 $/hr, 450 $
cm = length $/hr = pay rate
cm = length
(12.3 x 1.45) cm2 $ = money
(450/7.50) hr
missing = area missing = time
48.35 g, Calcium 48.35 g, Gold
g = mass g = mass (48.35/196.97) g/g/mol =
element = avg. atomic (48.35/40.08) mol element = avg. (48.35/196.97)
mass = g/mol atomic mass = g/mol mol
missing = amount missing = amount
42.16 g/cm3, 48.30 g 36.10 g/cm3, 48.30 g
g/cm3 = density g/cm3 = density
g = mass
(48.32/42.16) cm3 g = mass
(48.30/36.10) cm3
missing = volume missing = volume

A 90-kg man on a snow sled is traveling 15 m/s when he hits a snow bank. What is the momentum
transferred to the snow bank?
Momentum = mass x velocity = 90.0 kg x 15 m/s = (90 x 15) kg m/s

If you have 14.3 g of Be (Avg. Atomic Mass = 9.012 g/mol), what amount of Be is present?
Need amount (mol), so g divided by g/mol will give mol. Then Amount = (14.3/9.012) mol

If your vehicle gets 24 miles per gallon of gas, how many gallons of gas will it take to travel 650 miles?
(650/24) miles/miles/gallon = (650/24) gal.