Math in Chemistry ....

catzy5 · Dec 9, 2007

is hard !
right now learning conversion factors in dimensional analysis for problem solving.
any tips ?
I have a hard time converting when there are two different units.. for example :
Worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere are estimated at 1X10^9th (scientific notation) tons/year. what is this emission rate in kg/hr ?

I can't help you off the top of my head I don't have the conversion factors. However, what used to help me was to break it all down in steps.

Write out how many kg=1 ton, or whatever weights you know to get to 1 ton. Then the conversion hr's to year like

Just breaking it all down step by step and doing it one at a time was helpful, until i got used to it. Like any math, Chemistry math is just repetion and being able to get through the steps takes practice. Do as many problems as you can until it becomes second nature.

Learning dimensional anylisis is actually really helpful for nursing as you do most dosage calculations using that.

runner19 · Dec 9, 2007

thanks a lot ! yes, that seems like the route to go. the math part of it all is not hard at all, just getting used to setting up the problems is tricky. but like you said.. the more I do it, the easier it will become.

great advice.

thanks !

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2007

First, set up your conversions to change from tons to kgs. Then, set up conversions to change from years to hours. Make sure that your fractions are set up so that final labels end up in their correct positions in the numerators or denominators. There will be a number of conversion factors involved. This is not a big deal. You just need to be systematic in what you are doing and take it step by step.

There are links to how dimensional analysis works on post #3 of this thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/nursing-math-thread-264395.html - The Nursing Math Thread