Metric Basic Units and Prefixes: Example Exercise 2.1

Example Exercise 2.

1 Metric Basic Units and Prefixes

Give the symbol for each of the following metric units and state the quantity measured by each unit:
a. gigameter b. kilogram
c. centiliter d. microsecond
Solution
We compose the symbol for each unit by combining the
prefix symbol and the basic unit symbol. If we refer to
Tables 2.1 and 2.2, we have the following:

a. Gm, length b. kg, mass

c. cL, volume d. µs, time
Practice Exercise
Give the symbol for each of the following metric units
and state the quantity measured by each unit:
a. nanosecond b. milliliter
c. decigram d. megameter
Introductory Chemistry: Concepts and Critical Thinking, 7th Edition © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.1 Metric Basic Units and Prefixes
Answers
a. ns, time b. mL, volume c. dg, mass d. Mm, length
Concept Exercise
What is the basic unit of length, mass, and volume in the metric system?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.2 Metric Unit Equations
Complete the unit equation for each of the following exact metric equivalents:
a. 1 Mm = ? M b. 1 kg = ? g
c. 1 L = ? dL d. 1 s = ? ns
Solution
We can refer to Table 2.2 as necessary.
a. The prefix mega- means 1,000,000 basic units;
thus, 1 Mm = 1,000,000 m.
b. The prefix kilo- means 1000 basic units; thus,
1 kg = 1000 g.
c. The prefix deci- means 0.1 of a basic unit; thus,
1 L = 10 dL.
d. The prefix nano- means 0.000 000 001 of a basic
unit; thus, 1 s = 1,000,000,000 ns.
Alternatively, we can express the unit equation using exponential numbers:
a. 1 Mm = 1 × 106 m b. 1 kg = 1 × 103 g
c. 1 L = 1 × 101 dL d. 1 s = 1 × 109 ns
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.2 Metric Unit Equations
Practice Exercise
Complete the unit equation for each of the following exact metric equivalents:
a. 1 Gm = ? m b. 1 g = ? cg
c. 1 L = ?µL d. 1 s = ? ms
Answers
a. 1 Gm = 1 × 109 m b. 1 g = 1 × 102 cg
c. 1 L = 1 × 106 µL d. 1 s = 1 × 103 ms
Concept Exercise
How many significant digits are in the following unit equation: 1 m = 1000 mm?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.3 Metric Unit Factors
Write two unit factors for each of the following metric relationships:
a. kilometers and meters b. grams and decigrams
Solution
We start by writing the unit equation to generate the two unit factors.
a. The prefix kilo- means 1000 basic units; thus, 1 km = 1000 m. The two unit factors are
b. The prefix deci- means 0.1 basic unit; thus, 1 g = 10 dg. The two unit factors are
Practice Exercise
Write two unit factors for each of the following metric relationships:
a. liters and milliliters b. megaseconds and seconds
Answers
a. 1 L/1000 mL and 1000 mL/1 L b. 1 Ms/1,000,000 s and 1,000,000 s/1 Ms
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.3 Metric Unit Factors
Concept Exercise
How many significant digits are in the following unit factor: 1 L/1000 mL?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.4 Metric–Metric Conversion
A hospital has 125 deciliter bags of blood plasma. What is the volume of plasma expressed in milliliters?
Strategy Plan
Step 1: What unit is asked for in the answer?
Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?
Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Given that 1 L = 10 dL, and 1 L = 1000 mL,
the two pairs of unit factors are
Unit Analysis Map
Charles H. Corwin
Solution
We apply the unit factor 1 L/10 dL to cancel deciliters , and 1000 mL/1 L
to cancel liters .
The given value, 125 dL, limits the answer to three significant digits. Each
unit factor is derived from an exact equivalent, so neither affects the number
of significant digits in the answer.
Practice Exercise
A dermatology patient is treated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength
of 375 nm. What is the wavelength expressed in centimeters?
Answer
0.0000375 cm (3.75 × 10−5 cm)
Blood Plasma A blood plasma bag

has a volume of 1 deciliter, that is,
0.1 liter.
Charles H. Corwin
Concept Exercise
Express the volume of a cube 1 cm on a side in milliliters.
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
The mass of Earth is 5.98 × 1024 kg. What is the mass expressed in megagrams?
Strategy Plan

Given that 1 kg = 1000 g, and
1 Mg = 1,000,000 g, the two pairs of unit
factors are
Earth The mass of Earth is about 6,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms.
Charles H. Corwin
Unit Analysis Map
Solution
We apply the unit factor 1000 g/1 kg to cancel kilograms , and 1 Mg/1,000,000 g to cancel grams .
The given value limits the answer to three significant digits. Because each unit factor is derived from an exact
equivalent, neither affects the number of significant digits in the answer.
Practice Exercise
Light travels through the universe at a velocity of 3.00 × 10 10 cm/s. How many gigameters does light travel
in one second?
Charles H. Corwin
Answer
0.300 Gm (3.00 × 10−1 Gm)
Concept Exercise
How many significant digits are in the following unit factor: 1 g/1000 mg?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.6 Metric–English Conversion
A can of soda contains 12.0 fl oz (1 quart = 32 fluid ounces). What is the volume of soda in milliliters?
Strategy Plan

Given that 1 qt = 32 fl oz; and in Table 2.3 we find that
1 qt = 946 mL. The two pairs of unit factors are
Unit Analysis Map
Charles H. Corwin
Solution
We apply the unit factor 1 qt/32 fl oz to cancel ounces , and 946 mL/1 qt to cancel quarts .
The given value, 12.0 fl oz, limits the answer to three significant digits. Unit factor 1 has no effect as it is
an exact equivalent, and unit factor 2 has three significant digits.
Practice Exercise
A can of soda contains 12.0 fl oz. What is the volume in liters (given that
1 L = 1000 mL)?
Answer
0.355 L
Concept Exercise
How many significant digits are in the following unit equation: 1 L = 1000 mL?
Answer Dr. Pepper A 12 fl oz can of soda

See Appendix G.
contains 355 mL.
Charles H. Corwin
If a tennis ball weighs 2.0 oz, what is the mass of the tennis ball in grams?
Tennis Balls A tennis ball weighs about 2.0

ounces, and has a diameter of 2.5 inches.
Strategy Plan

Given that 1 lb = 16 oz and that in Table 2.3
we find that 1 lb = 454 g. The two pairs of
unit factors are
Charles H. Corwin
Unit Analysis Map
Solution
We apply the unit factor 1 lb/16 oz to cancel ounces , and 454 g/1 lb to cancel pounds .
The given value, 2.0 oz, limits the answer to two significant digits. Unit factor 1 has no effect as it is
derived from an exact equivalent, and unit factor 2 has three significant digits.
Practice Exercise
If a tennis ball has a diameter of 2.5 inches, what is the diameter in millimeters?
Answer
64 mm
Charles H. Corwin
Concept Exercise
How many significant digits are in the following unit factor: 1 kg/2.20 lb?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.8 The Percent Concept
Sterling silver contains silver and copper metals. If a sterling silver chain contains 18.5 g of silver and 1.5 g of
copper, what is the percent of silver?
Sterling Silver Sterling silver has a high luster

and is found in fine utensils and jewelry.
Strategy Plan

No unit factor is required
Charles H. Corwin
Solution
To find percent, we compare the mass of silver metal to the total mass of the silver and copper in the chain, and
multiply by 100%.
Genuine sterling silver is cast from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. If you carefully examine a piece of sterling silver,
you may see the jeweler's notation .925, which indicates the item is genuine sterling silver.
Practice Exercise
A 14-karat gold ring contains 7.45 g of gold, 2.66 g of silver, and 2.66 g of copper. Calculate the percent of gold
in the 14-karat ring.
Answer
58.3%
Charles H. Corwin
Concept Exercise
If a gold alloy contains 20% silver and 5% copper, what is the percent of gold in the alloy?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.9 Percent as a Unit Factor
The Moon and Earth have a similar composition and each contains 4.70% iron, which supports the theory that the
Moon and Earth were originally a single planet. What is the mass of iron in a lunar sample that weighs 235 g?
Strategy Plan

From the definition of percent, 4.70 g iron = 100 g
sample; the two unit factors are 4.70 g iron/100 g
sample, and its reciprocal 100 g sample/4.70 g iron.
Unit Analysis Map
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.9 Percent as a Unit Factor
Solution
We should apply the unit factor 4.70 g iron/100 g sample to cancel grams sample (g sample), which appears
in the denominator.
The given value and unit factor each have three digits and limit the answer to three significant digits.
Practice Exercise
A Moon sample is found to contain 7.50% aluminum. What is the mass of the lunar sample if the amount of
aluminum is 5.25 g?
Answer
70.0 g sample
Concept Exercise
Water is 11.2% hydrogen by mass. What two unit factors express the percent hydrogen in water?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.10 Volume Calculation for a Rectangular Solid
If a stainless steel rectangular solid measures 5.55 cm long, 3.75 cm wide, and 2.25 cm thick, what is the volume in
cubic centimeters?
Strategy Plan

No unit factor is required.
Solution
We can calculate the volume of the rectangular solid by multiplying length times width times thickness: l × w × t.
5.55 cm × 3.75 cm × 2.25 cm = 46.8 cm3
The answer is rounded off to three significant digits because each given value has three significant digits.
Practice Exercise
If a rectangular brass solid measures 52.0 mm by 25.0 mm by 15.0 mm, what is the volume in cubic millimeters?
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.10 Volume Calculation for a Rectangular Solid
Answer
19,500 mm3 (1.95 × 104 mm3)
Concept Exercise
Express the volume of a cube 10 cm on a side in liters.
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.11 Thickness Calculation for a Rectangular Solid
A sheet of aluminum foil measures 25.0 mm by 10.0 mm, and the volume is 3.75 mm 3. What is the thickness of the
foil in millimeters?
Strategy Plan

Solution
We can calculate the thickness of the foil by dividing the volume by length and width. Because the unit of
volume is mm3, we obtain the thickness in mm by unit cancellation.
The answer is rounded off to three significant digits because each given value has three significant digits.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.11 Thickness Calculation for a Rectangular Solid
Practice Exercise
A sheet of aluminum foil measures 35.0 cm by 25.0 cm, and the volume is 1.36 cm 3. What is the thickness of
the foil in centimeters?
Answer
0.00155 cm (1.55 × 10−3 cm)
Concept Exercise
Which of the following is the greatest thickness?
1 mm, 0.1 cm, or 0.001 m
Answer
See Appendix G.
Aluminum Foil A thin sheet of

aluminum foil.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.12 Metric–English Volume Conversion
Given that an automobile engine has a volume displacement of 498 cm3 in each cylinder, express the volume in
cubic inches.
Strategy Plan
Unit Analysis Map
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.12 Metric–English Volume Conversion
Solution
We can calculate the volume in cubic inches by converting the volume given in cubic centimeters. Notice that cm
units do not cancel cm3. To obtain cubic inches, we must apply the unit factor, 1 in. /2.54 cm, three times. Thus,
The given value, and unit factors, each limits the answer to three significant digits.
Practice Exercise
Given that an SUV has a 244 in.3 engine, express the engine
volume in liters.
Answer
4.00 L
Concept Exercise
Which of the following is the greater volume: 500 mL or 500 cm3 ?
Mini Cooper The Mini Cooper is built in

Answer England and marketed in the United States
See Appendix G. by BMW.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.13 Volume by Displacement
A quartz stone weighing 30.475 g is carefully placed into a graduated cylinder. If the water level increases from
25.0 mL to 36.5 mL, what is the volume of the quartz stone?
Strategy Plan

Solution
We can calculate the displaced volume in milliliters by subtracting the initial volume from the final
volume.
36.5 mL − 25.0 mL = 11.5 mL
Practice Exercise
Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to give oxygen gas, which displaces a volume of water into a beaker. If the
water level in the beaker increases from 50.0 mL to 105.5 mL, what is the volume of oxygen gas?
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.13 Volume by Displacement
Answer
55.5 mL
Concept Exercise
Which of the following has the greater volume: 1 mL or 1 cm 3 ?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.14 Density Calculation
If a platinum nugget has a mass of 214.50 g and a volume of 10.0 cm 3, what is the density of the metal?
Strategy Plan

Solution
We can calculate the density of the platinum nugget by
comparing the mass of metal, 214.50 g, to its volume, 10.0 cm3.
The given volume has three significant digits, so the answer is

rounded off to three digits. It is interesting to note that platinum
metal is more dense than lead (d = 11.3 g/cm3), and more valuable
than gold.
Platinum Nugget A nugget of precious

platinum metal.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.14 Density Calculation
Practice Exercise
Carbon tetrachloride is a solvent used for degreasing electronic parts. If 25.0 mL of carbon tetrachloride has a
mass of 39.75 g, what is the density of the liquid?
Answer
1.59 g/mL
Concept Exercise
Which of the following has the greater density: ice or water?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.15 Density as a Unit Factor
A 1.00-in. cube of copper measures 2.54 cm on a side. What is the mass of the copper cube (given that d of
copper = 8.96 g/cm3)?
Strategy Plan

From the definition of density, 8.96 g = 1 cm3;
thus, the two unit factors are 8.96 g/1 cm3, and
its reciprocal 1 cm3/8.96 g.
Unit Analysis Map
Copper Metal A 1.00-inch

cube of copper metal.
Charles H. Corwin
Solution
First, we find the volume of the copper cube. We obtain the volume of the cube, 16.4 cm 3, by multiplying
(2.54 cm) (2.54 cm) (2.54 cm). We use the given density, 8.96 g/1 cm 3, as a unit factor to cancel cubic
centimeters , which appears in the denominator.
The given value and unit factor each has three significant digits, so the answer is rounded off to three
significant digits.
Practice Exercise
A cube of silver is 5.00 cm on a side and has a mass of 1312.5 g. What is the density of silver?
Answer
10.5 g/cm3
Charles H. Corwin
Concept Exercise
If some humans float in water and others sink, what is the approximate density of the human body?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.16 °F and °C Temperature Conversions
Normal body temperature is 98.6 °F. What is normal body temperature in degrees Celsius?
Strategy Plan

Solution
To calculate °C, we refer to Figure 2.6 and compare the Celsius and Fahrenheit
temperature scales. The conversion from °F to °C is as follows.
Simplifying and canceling units gives
Australian Stamp The cartoon

The given value, 98.6 °F, has three significant digits, so the answer is rounded illustrates that 38 °C is
off to three digits. Because 32 °F and 100 °C/180 °F are exact numbers, approximately equal to 100 °F.
neither affects the significant digits in the answer.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.16 °F and °C Temperature Conversions
Practice Exercise
The average surface temperature of Mars is –55 °C. What is the average temperature in degrees Fahrenheit?
Answer
–67 F
Concept Exercise
What is the relationship between the Celsius and centigrade temperature scales?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.17 °C and K Temperature Conversions
Dermatologists use liquid nitrogen to freeze skin tissue. If the Celsius temperature of liquid nitrogen is –196 °C,
what is the Kelvin temperature?
Strategy Plan

Solution
Given the Celsius temperature, we add 273 units to find the corresponding Kelvin temperature.
− 196 C + 273 = 77 K
Practice Exercise
The secret to “fire-walking” is to first walk barefoot through damp grass and then step lively on the red-hot coals.
If the bed of coals is 1475 K, what is the Celsius temperature?
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.17 °C and K Temperature Conversions
Answer
1202 °C
Concept Exercise
Which of the following temperatures does not exist?
−100 F, −100 C, −100 K
Answer
See Appendix G.
Liquid Nitrogen Although nitrogen is normally a
gas, it liquefies at −196 C. When liquid nitrogen is
poured from a Thermos, it is cold enough to freeze
the moisture in air and form a white mist.
Charles H. Corwin
Example Exercise 2.18 Energy Conversion
Burning one liter of natural gas produces 9.46 kcal of heat energy. Express the energy in kilojoules (given that
1 kcal = 4.184 kJ).
Strategy Plan

The unit equation is 1 kcal = 4.184 kJ, so
the two unit factors are 1 kcal/4.184 kJ,
and its reciprocal 4.184 kJ/1 kcal.
Unit Analysis Map
Charles H. Corwin
Solution
We apply the unit factor 4.184 kJ/1 kcal to cancel kilocalories , which
appears in the denominator.
The given value has three significant digits, and the unit factor has four digits.
Thus, we round off the answer to three significant digits.
Practice Exercise
Burning one gram of gasoline produces 47.9 kJ of energy. Express the heat
energy in kilocalories (given that 1 kcal = 4.184 kJ).
Answer
11.4 kcal
Bunsen Burner A laboratory
burner that uses natural gas
for fuel.
Charles H. Corwin
Concept Exercise
If an aerosol can feels cold after releasing the spray, is heat flowing from the can or from your hand?
Answer
See Appendix G.
Charles H. Corwin

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Example Exercise 2.

1 Metric Basic Units and Prefixes

a. Gm, length b. kg, mass

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Unit Analysis Map

Blood Plasma A blood plasma bag

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Earth The mass of Earth is about 6,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kilograms.

Unit Analysis Map

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Unit Analysis Map

Answer Dr. Pepper A 12 fl oz can of soda

Tennis Balls A tennis ball weighs about 2.0

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Unit Analysis Map

Sterling Silver Sterling silver has a high luster

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Unit Analysis Map

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Aluminum Foil A thin sheet of

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Unit Analysis Map

Mini Cooper The Mini Cooper is built in

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

The given volume has three significant digits, so the answer is

Platinum Nugget A nugget of precious

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Unit Analysis Map

Copper Metal A 1.00-inch

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Simplifying and canceling units gives

Australian Stamp The cartoon

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Step 2: What given value is related to the answer?

Step 3: What unit factor(s) should we apply?

Unit Analysis Map

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