Working in the physical sciences and making comparisons of daily amounts necessitates the ability to convert various units. While it is not tough, it can be a little tricky until you get the hang of it, and some individuals make it more complicated than it is. A multi-step process involving multiplication or division by a numerical factor is known as Unit Conversion. Weight, distance, and temperature can all be measured in various ways. Distance is measured in kilometres, weight is measured in kilograms, and temperature is recorded in degrees Celsius in various countries.
Unit Conversion
Unit conversion is a procedure that requires multiplying or dividing a numerical factor or, more specifically, a conversion factor. The method may also necessitate rounding and selecting the correct number of significant digits. Conversion units are used to measure various properties.
- Measuring length includes measuring objects using equipment such as a ruler and measuring tape.
- Measuring weight is a unit to express an object’s weight, which is directly proportional to its mass.
- Measuring temperature is essentially an average measure of the kinetic energy of matter particles; the higher their kinetic energy, the higher body temperature.
- Measuring Capacity describes the capacity of a container representing the amount of liquid it can hold.
Unit Conversion Table
Changing the value of one form to another, such as inches to millimetres or litres to gallons, is known as conversion. Units are used to measure length, weight, capacity, temperature, and speed.
| Quantity | Unit |
| Length | inches, feet , yards and miles |
| Weight | Kilogram, Pounds and Tons |
| Area | Square feet, acre, mile and inch |
| Capacity | Gallons, Fluid ounces and pint |
| Temperature | Celcius and Fahrenheit |
Conversion of Length
The ‘Metre,’ abbreviated as M,’ is the standard unit of length. The length of one metre is divided into 100 equal sections. Each component is given the designation centimetre and is abbreviated as ‘cm’. As a result, 1 metre equals 100 centimetres, and 100 centimetres equals 1 metre. Kilometres are used to measure long distances. This kilometre is the same as 1000 metres. The kilometre is abbreviated as ‘km’. Conversion of Length is the process that requires division and multiplication.
| Unit | Conversion |
| 1 Kilometre (km) | 1000m |
| 1 Hectometer (Hm) | 100m |
| 1 Centimetre | 10mm |
| 1 Decameter | 10cm |
| 1 Millimetre | 0.001m |
| 1 Decimeter | 0.01m |
| 1 Metre | 100cm |
| 1 Mile | 1.609344 kms |
For Example: Convert 0.26m into Cm
1 m= 100 cm
So, 0.26X 100 = 26cm
Step 1- According to table 1 m is equals to 100cm
Step 2- Given unit is 0.26m. To convert m into cm the given value must be multiplied by 100
Example 2: Convert 14 dm 6 cm into centimetre
14 dm 6cm
(14X 10) cm+ 6cm
140 cm+ 6cm
146 cm
Step 1- 1 dm is equal to 10 cm
Step 2- To convert the given value, multiply it by 10.
Step 3- Add cm to the multiplied value
Step 4- The answer will be written in converted value. (cm)
Conversion of Weight
Weight Conversion includes pounds and kilograms, which are weight measurement units. Although kilograms are technically a unit of matter and lbs are a measurement of force, they have been used to measure the weight of objects.
| Unit | Conversion |
| 1 kilogram | 2.2lbs |
| 1 milligram | 0.001 gram |
| 1 centigram | 0.01 gram |
| 1 hectogram | 100 gram |
| 1 pound | 453.592 grams |
| 1 ounce | 28.3495 grams |
| 1 stone | 6350.29 grams |
For Example: A man weighs 180 Lbs. What is the weight in Kg?
Step 1- Convert pounds to kg
Step 2- As mentioned in the table, 1 kg is equals to 2.21 lbs
Step 3- Apply formula i.e. Weight in kg= Weight in Lbs
Step 4- Let man be X, X kg= 180 lbs X 2.2 lbs
Step 5- X kg= 81 kg
So, weight of man is 81 kg
Example 2: Convert 0.02 Lbs into kg
Step 1- As mentioned above, 1 lbs is equals to 0.4535923 kg
Step 2- Multiply value of 0.02 with o.45359237 kg
Step 3: Answer is 0.00907185 kg
Conversion of Temperature
The Formula of Temperature conversion converts temperature values from one unit to another. There are numerous methods for converting temperatures. The most often used methods are Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit.
| Unit | Conversion into Celsius | Conversion into Fahrenheit | Conversion into Kelvin |
| Celsius | C (°) | C(9⁄5) + 32 | C + 273.15 |
| Fahrenheit | (F − 32) × 5⁄9 | F | (F − 32) × 5⁄9 + 273.15 |
| Kelvin | K – 273.15 | (K – 273.15) * 9/5 + 32 | K |
For Example: Convert 40 Degree Celsius into Kelvin
Step 1- Formula to convert Celsius into Fahrenheit is C(9⁄5) + 32
Step 2- Place the given value 40 under Celsius i.e. 40 (9/5)+ 32
Step 3- Answer after Dividing 9/5 and multiplying it with 40 is 72
Step 4- Add 72 with 32 i.e. 104
Step 5- Answer is 104 Degree Fahrenheit
Example 2: Convert 120 Degree Fahrenheit into Kelvin
Step 1- Formula to convert Fahrenheit into Kelvin is (F − 32) × 5⁄9 + 273.15
Step 2- Place the given value 120 under Fahrenheit i.e. (120-32) x 5/9 + 273.15
Step 3- Subtract 32 from 120 i.e. 98. Multiply 98 by 5/9 and add it with 273.15
Step 4- Answer is 54 after multiplication
Step 5- Add 54 with 273.15
Step 6- Answer is 327.15 k
Conversion of Capacity
When an object is full, its capacity is the amount of liquid it can hold. A measure of capacity is when a liquid, such as milk is described in gallons or quarts. The Units of Capacity are Litre and Millilitre.
| Unit | Conversion |
| 1 centilitre | 0.01 litre |
| 1 millilitre | 0.001 litre |
| 1 deciliter | 0.1 litre |
| 1 hectoliter | 100 litres |
| 1 kiloliter | 1000 litres |
| 1 gallon | 3.785 litres |
| 1 Lire | 1000 ml |
For Example: Convert 16 L to mL
Step 1- Follow the above table, as 1 L= 1000 ml
Step 2- Place value of 16 and multiply it by 1000
Step 3- Answer is 16,000 ml
Example 2: Convert 320 L to Kl
Step 1- Follow the table, as 1 L = 1000 ml
Step 2- Convert L into Kl by dividing value by 1000
Step 3- Divide 320 by 1000 i.e. 0.32 kl
Conclusion
Understanding the units of measurement associated with a number can provide you with more information than just a single digit. Units can assist in demonstrating the exact quantity you possess to another individual. Assist in solving a mathematical issue, particularly in chemistry, where the answer can be found by following the units. It indicates the person’s preferred measurement system with the help of Metric and Standard systems. Measurement establishes a baseline for everyday objects and processes. Time, weight, temperature, and length are measurements that play a significant role in lives. Generating one unit to another to achieve precision that prevents measurement confusion. In a nutshell, the unit of measurement in science is the foundation upon which a number is built.
FAQs
1. What is the size of a hectare?
The hectare (sign: ha) is a unit of area equivalent to 10,000 m2 used only to measure land.One hectare is equivalent to (100 m) 2, or 1 hm2. To visualise the size of a hectare, imagine a square with each side the length of a US football field. For comparison, an acre is equivalent to a square with a side of approximately 64 m. A square kilometre contains 100 hectares, so 1 km2 is equivalent to ten American football fields on each side. The hectare, along with the litre and metric tonne, is categorised as a non-SI unit that can be used with the SI. A hectare consists of 100 acres, 100 square metres, even if it is no longer in use. To avoid a double syllable, the vowel at the end of the word is deleted in the English spelling and pronunciation of "hectare".
2. Difference between Metric and Imperial system.
A decimal unit system uses the metre as a unit of length, the kilogramme as a unit of mass, and the second as a unit of time. It is now commonly abbreviated as SI, which stands for Système International. This is also referred to as the International System of Units. The measurement system was used in the United Kingdom and other Former colonies. Metric System, which includes units such as the inch, mile, and pound is the Imperial system is based on the metre as the unit of measurement. The circumference of the Earth was used to create the metre, which runs from the North Pole to Paris, France, and then to the equator. Metric units can be converted simply by multiplying or dividing by powers of ten. Imperial System units include inch, pound, gallon and foot.
3. What is meant by length?
The length, as defined in the preceding section, is a measurement of something. The metre is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI) system, abbreviated as m. This is possible when the length is expressed in appropriate units, such as 2 metres or 200 cm for a table, 15 metres for a string, etc. As a result, the units of measurement aid in comprehending the numerical parameters. Conversion of Length involves the conversion of a standard unit of length, i.e. metre.
4. What is Temperature Conversion?
Temperature Conversion aids in converting temperature measurement units recorded in a specific unit. The temperature expresses the degree of heat or cold of a solid, liquid, or gas. A thermometer is used to measure temperature. While the SI unit of temperature is Kelvin (K), most people use Centigrade or Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F) to measure temperature. Temperature can be measured in a variety of units. Temperature is measured in three different units: Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. The SI unit of temperature measurement is Kelvin, whereas Fahrenheit and Celsius are commonly used scales.
5. What is the unit for distance?
The length of the route between two points is referred to as distance. The length of a race track, for example, is the distance between the starting and finishing lines. That distance is 100 metres in a 100-metre sprint. The metre is the SI unit for distance (m). Long distances are measured in kilometres, while short distances are measured in centimetres (cm) (km). For example, you could measure the distance between the bottom and top of a sheet of paper in centimetres and the distance between your house and your school in kilometres. The scale of a map can calculate the distance between two points.
