Questions tagged [units]

For questions about the definition and usage of units of measurement.

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Is mg/m^3 same as ppmw (CO2)?

I'm trying to convert $\ce{CO2}$ ppm (volume) in the air into ppm (weight) in the water. I found this formula $\mathrm{mg \ m^{-3}}$ = (ppmv)(MW) / [($0.08205$) (¦$\mathrm{K}$)] where, ppmv = ...
Mistergreen's user avatar
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ppm as hexane/propane/methane etc

This question is primarily related to stack testing data. Whenever stack testing is being conducted and the parameter being measured is VOC concentration, it is often reported as ppm (as hexane) or ...
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Rate constants using Arrhenius equation

If I'm trying to use the Arrhenius equation in this form: $$\ln\left(\frac{k_2}{k_1}\right) = -\frac{E_\mathrm a}R\cdot\left(\frac1{T_2}-\frac1{T_1}\right)$$ And I am given the activation energy ($...
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How does 1 mole of a compound = the molecular weight of the compound?

I am reviewing moles, and came across this sentence in my book: One mole of a compound has a mass in grams equal the molecular weight of the compound expressed in amu and contains $6.022\times10^{...
Singh's user avatar
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How to convert metre to ångström? [closed]

In my book it says Convert $1.213\cdot10^{-11}$ metre into Angstrom. The answer is $12.13\cdot10^{-2}$ Angstrom. How is it possible? I thought of multiplying the metre with $10^{-10}$, but I ...
Megha Shrestha's user avatar
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Dividing different units of measurement? [duplicate]

1) $$\frac{35 \; \text{cm}^2}{0.62 \; \text{cm}} = 56.4516$$ For the units in the answer, do you put $56.4516$ cm$^2$ or just $56.4516$ cm? 1) $$\frac{0.075 \; \text{g}}{0.0003 \; \text{cm}^3} = 250$...
BlueMagic1923's user avatar
7 votes
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When to use Da or u for mass units

Following up on the question Units of mass on the atomic scale, Daltons (Da) and unified mass units (u) are equivalent, but which is used seems to depend on context. For example, when discussing ...
Ted Corcovilos's user avatar
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Should you work in metres-cubed or litres in chemistry? [closed]

Generally, is it better to work in metres-cubed or litres in chemistry? My undergraduate degree was in civil engineering and we always worked in $\mathrm{m^3}$. However, I notice the gas constant $R$...
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How to retrieve Dalton value from m/z value?

As I understand, Dalton (Da) is the standard way for representing mass unit. As for $m/z$, which is a specific notation for mass spectrometry, quoting for wikipedia: This notation eases data ...
user2018675's user avatar
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Why are osmoles not considered SI units?

The Wikipedia article for osmoles is pretty clear on what they are and how they are used. Right off the bat, though, it states that the osmole is not an SI unit, and indeed the usual lists of derived ...
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Convert pg/mL to/from pmol/L?

In this article, 148 pmol/L is said to be equivalent to 200 pg/mL. But this unit conversion site says that 200 pg/mL are equivalent to ~734 pmol/L, and this one gives 44 pmol/L for the same value. ...
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Conversion of a value between g/gmol and lb/lbmol

I am doing some air emissions calculations and I really just have a bad feeling about my results. By definition, molecular weights are given in $\pu{g/gmol}$. For the substance I have, I was told by ...
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What does the unit M stand for? [closed]

What does $\mathrm{M}$ signify in this pH calculation? To me, it just seems to be a random variable. For example: $\ce{[H+]} = 1.0\times10^{-7}~\mathrm{M}$ I am not sure what the $\mathrm{M}$ is ...
Atticus283blink's user avatar
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How much CO2 is produced by plant litter?

I made measurements of CO2 formed during decomposition of dead plant material using gas spectrometer. It gives the results of CO2 in ppm. How do I convert it to $\large \rm \frac{mg~CO2}{\text{1 g ...
iirisa's user avatar
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Units of rate constant (cycles per second vs radians per second) in Eyring equation

In the Eyring equation (EE), $$k = \frac{k_\mathrm B T}{h} \exp\left(\frac{-\Delta G_{\mathrm f}}{RT}\right),$$ the units of $k$ are $\mathrm{s^{-1}}$. However, in general rate constants are usually ...
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Calculating volume ethanol in an fermented aqueous solution of sucrose, water, and ethanol

I've been working on a biology experiment where I calculate the fermentation yield of yeast under various light induced stress responses inhibiting the translation of various fermentation enzymes. My ...
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Dealing with different units (psi) in ideal gas equation

My assignment is as follows: A sample of air is trapped in a container at $\pu{16.2 psi}$. If the initial temperature is increased from $\pu{10 ^\circ C}$ to $\pu{32 ^\circ C}$, what is the final ...
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Reaction rate constant conversion [closed]

I'm flustered, I'm not into chemistry and need to convert $\mathrm{(nM\cdot s)^{-1}}$ to $\mathrm{(M\cdot s)^{-1}}$. Is it correct to multiply with $10^9$?
unterm-'s user avatar
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How dangerous is a megacurie (MCi)?

I was researching the Kyshtym (nuclear) Disaster, and it said that it released 20 MCi (20 megacuries) of radiation into the air in a dust cloud. I read from this Yahoo Answers answer that: The curie ...
Jonathan Lam's user avatar
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1 answer
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Convert from Pa to Pa to J/dm^3 [closed]

Given the value 380 PaK^-1, how do I convert Pa to Jdm-3? I know that 1 joule = 1 Nm, and that 1 pascal = 1 N/m^2. But where does the dm^-3 (or L) come into this? I don't know where to start.
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What is the physical quantity/magnitude of pH?

I have a database to classify variables/parameters in water resources as follows: Variable: Precipitation (P); Quantity: Length; Units of measurement: mm (millimeters). Following the example, what ...
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Find the displacement of mercury in a vertical tube

So we have a 1m tube sealed at both ends. It is initially horizontally placed and the middle 0.1m contains mercury and the two ends contain air. Now the tube is turned vertical, we have to find the ...
Abhishek Mhatre's user avatar
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Do all conversion factors have an infinite number of significant figures?

I believe conversion factors have an infinite number of significant figures. They should be exact values; but not all of them are, are they? I looked at a pdf document (via the Internet Archive) and ...
Jonathan Lam's user avatar
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How is sulfuric acid with a concentration of 12 M also 72% w/w?

According to LabChem, $12~\mathrm{M}$ of $\ce{H2SO4}$ is $72~\mathrm{w/w\%}$. When I try to convert $12~\mathrm{M}$ of $\ce{H2SO4}$ to $\mathrm{w/w\%}$ I get $117\%$ which is obviously wrong. $$\...
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How is the unit of measure "equivalent" abbreviated?

I usually use "eq" but I have been told to use "equiv." in order to avoid confusion with "equation". Is there a reference I can check?
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Is 44.5 mg/L a measurement of weight or volume?

I have a test result that I am trying to fully grasp. I need to determine how much of a contaminant I need to reach that amount in 4,800 gallons. Making the conversion to liters is no problem, nor is ...
user17960's user avatar
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1 answer
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Units in modified Arrhenius equation?

The modified Arrhenius equation is used to express the rate constant in a chemical mechanism model I'm working with. The equations is as follows: $$k_\mathrm{f} = A\times T^b\times\exp\left(-\frac{E_\...
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Units of mass on the atomic scale

what are the systems of recording atomic masses and their units? I know that the nucleon number is the number of protons and neutrons I also know that the mass number on the periodic table is the ...
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37 votes
6 answers
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May I treat units (e.g. joules, grams, etc.) in equations as variables?

Suppose I have two units, Tonks, $T$, and Borks, $B$, as well as the equation $\frac{50T}{20B}=x$. May I manipulate the equation as though $T$ and $B$ were the kinds of symbols that we learned to ...
Hal's user avatar
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How to convert g/L to mol/L

I know I should divide $\pu{g L-1}$ by the molar mass of the substance, but I don't seem to find the specific answer on Google. So just to be sure: If I have $10^{-5}~\pu{g L-1}~\ce{Cu^2+}$ solution, ...
Ndrina Limani's user avatar
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1 answer
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Unit of time used in rate law equations

If doing a problem where you use the integrated rate law for a second order reaction ($\frac{1}{[\mathrm{A}]}-\frac{1}{[\mathrm{A_0}]}=kt$) to first find $k$, then use that to find the half-life. ...
Caesium-133's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the difference between the units 'torr' and 'mm of Hg'?

According to present definition torr and mm of Hg differ though slightly. I am still confused over it. Can someone write an explicit answer differentiating between them and the reason for ...
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2 votes
3 answers
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Why does 1 cubic meter = 1000000 cubic centimeters?

I have the SI chart in front of me. It states that a centi is 10^-2 and since they are already designated cubic meters why does 1 cubic meter equal 1000000 cubic centimeters?
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Why is the units of kcat 1/s?

I understand that $k_\text{cat}$ measures the turnover number of an enzyme. This measure is therefore a quantity of molecule conversions per unit of time. I suspect that my problem is more that of a ...
CiaranWelsh's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
79k views

What does the ‘−1’ superscript mean in units?

For example, the rate of a chemical reaction can be expressed in $\mathrm{mol}/\mathrm{L}^{-1}/\mathrm{sec}^{-1}$. Why is it ‘−1’ and not, say, ‘−2’? Does it change the meaning if the minus is removed ...
CiaranWelsh's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
6k views

SI Units for Isothermal Incompressibility and Specific heat capacity at constant volume

I am looking for the SI units of isothermal incompressibility and specific heat capacity at constant volume. What I found was that isothermal compression was measured in " $\mathrm{m^2}\ \mathrm{N^{-...
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Atomic Mass of ¹²C before 1961

Question: Prior to 1961, the atomic mass unit was defined as 1/16 the mass of the atomic mass of oxygen; that is, the atomic mass of oxygen was defined as exactly $\pu{16 amu}$. What was the ...
Amuna's user avatar
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-3 votes
2 answers
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Why is it written as "joule" and "J"? [closed]

Why is the unit joule is written as "joule" and "J", I mean what does "J" mean and what does "joule" mean.
vabo juninho's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

What are the units of P and V when R is expressed in terms of J/(mol K)?

I have learnt the ideal gas equation $PV=nRT$. However, I have some doubts regarding the units of the quantities in this equation. When we take the gas constant $R=8.314\ \mathrm{J\ mol^{-1}\ K^{-1}}...
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What units do I use for energy in the Boltzmann distribution?

I am a mathematics student doing a course in thermodynamics and am working on the basics now. The question I am asked is: Suppose two states differ in energy by one electronvolt. What can be said ...
Slugger's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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How to find the units of the rate constant?

Consider the reaction $$\ce{2A + B -> Products},$$ when the concentration of $\ce{B}$ alone was doubled, the half-life did not change. When the concentration of $\ce{A}$ alone was doubled, the rate ...
Ayush's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
319 views

What does this scale mean?

$$\log_{10}~\mathrm{pg}/\mathrm{ml}$$ I do not understand the scale. How do I convert this to a standard concentration (without the logs)?
Robert's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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How to compute the residence time for given flow rate in standard cubic meters?

I'm given a flow rate of a gas mixture of $3\ \mathrm{Nm^3/h}$ in standard cubic meters through a cylinder of length $50\ \mathrm{cm}$ and cross section $70\ \mathrm{cm^2}$, can I compute how long a ...
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