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Creating Your Own Conversion Factors

For every measurement, there is a unit of measurement which enables one to describe a subject matter. A particular unit, in turn, can be converted into other units by use of conversion factors. As long as there is a correctly defined relationship between quantities, new conversion factors can be created. Without units of measurement and related conversion factors, physics and chemistry would not be possible.

Even though there are many web sites that automatically convert units from one to another, this tool provides more opportunities to "play" with conversion factors. Further, it does not "just" provide the conversion, it also allows users to archive their own conversions for peer review.

Required Resources

Known Conversion Factors Some conversion factors will be needed in order to construct new ones.

Optional Resources

Forms Provide the following information as indicated.
- Conversion Archive
Checklists (Rubrics) Use this rubric as a check list for constructing your own factors.
- Conversion Factors

Steps

Conversion Spread Sheet Use the attached spread sheet to create new conversion factors as needed. Additional instructions are found within the spread sheets. Unit Conversion Creator (Excel) Creator Screen Shot Unit Conversion Creator (Appleworks) Archive and Share Share the conversion factors you created by uploading them to the data form Conversion Archive. Be prepared to indicate the conversion factor's dimension and whether it is a basic or derived unit.

Learner Notes

In science, there must be an understanding of units of measurement and of how these units can be manipulated. Measurement in specific units is the beginning of all analysis of anything quantitative. Simple measurements start with ratios. Any time one counts or measures something, the counting or measuring has a unit. Try to remember the notion that when one, for example, counts the number of flowers in one's backyard, that the word flowers is the unit. There is always a number with a unit.