Unit Conversions Problem Set

This problem set was developed by S.E. Van Bramer for Chemistry 145 at Widener University.

Solve the following problems using a calculator and then check your solution with the computer by using Convert-it. You can find detailed tables of conversion factors in the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics and on the World Wide Web.

  1. An atom is approximately 1 angstrom (Å) in diameter, express this in inches (in) and in micrometers (um).

  2. How many miles is a 10 kilometer running race?

  3. How many kilometers is a marathon (26.2 miles)?

  4. The temperature of Liquid Helium is 4 K, express this in degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit.

  5. The temperature of Liquid Nitrogen is 100 K, express this in degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit

  6. The temperature of dry ice is -56.5° Centigrade, express this in kelvins and degrees Fahrenheit

  7. Human body temperature is 98.6° Fahrenheit, express this in degrees Celsius and kelvins

  8. A nice size diamond is 3/4 carats. Express this in grams.

  9. What is 1 metric ton in grams, kg, and pounds?

  10. A gold Krugerrand is 1 troy oz, express this in grams

  11. The Exxon Valdez spilled about 1 billion gallons of oil, how many liters is this?

  12. Exxon always gave the size of the spill in barrels, how many barrels is this?

  13. When I make my secret chili recipe, I use about 3 tablespoons of Habanera pepper sauce. How many milliliters is this?

  14. A typical garbage dumpster is 8 cubic yards. Express this in liters.

  15. The unit often used for atomic spectroscopy is a megabarn (Mb), the cross section of an atom is about 1 Mb. How many cm2 is this?

  16. A typical farm is about 700 acres. How many square meters is this?

  17. How many square feet in 1 acre?

  18. The Yellowstone fire burned about 1 million acres. How many square miles is this?

  19. Delaware is roughly 50 miles long and 20 miles wide, compare this size to the Yellowstone fire.

  20. A typical car engine has about 150 horsepower. How many watts is this?

  21. A typical home air conditioner is rated at 2 Tons of refrigeration. How many watts is this?

  22. A large Hydrogen Bomb is rated at 1 megaton of TNT. How many joules is this?

  23. The shields on the starship Enterprise are rated at approximately 1 Terawatt. A watt is a Joule per second. If the blast from a hydrogen bomb lasted 1 second, would it destroy the Enterprise?

  24. The volume of a milk carton is 1/2 gallon. How many liters and milliliters is this?

  25. The volume of the milk used for school lunch is 1/2 pint. How many liters and milliliters is this?

  26. The distance to the moon is 238,855 miles. How many meters is this?

  27. The distance from your nose to your fingertips with your arm stretched out is about 1 yard. How many meters is this? How many cm? How many mm?

Please send comments or suggestions to svanbram@science.widener.edu

Scott Van Bramer
Department of Chemistry
Widener University
Chester, PA 19013

© copyright 1996, S.E. Van Bramer
This page has been accessed times since 1/5 /96 .

Last Updated: Monday, June 24, 1996 7:30:11 PM