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I have a degree in chemistry and have taught it for 18 years. I have NEVER heard the term "dimensional analysis" to describe the conversion of units in stoicheometry problems before. Have I been out of the "main stream" of formal acadamia too long? None of my textbooks use this term. Where are all of you who are using it get it? I am curious.

2007-03-18 06:56:58 · 5 answers · asked by CAROL P 4 in Science & Mathematics Chemistry

5 answers

Dimensional analysis is a conceptual tool often applied in physics, chemistry, and engineering to understand physical situations involving a mix of different kinds of physical quantities. It is routinely used by physical scientists and engineers to check the plausibility of derived equations and computations. It is also used to form reasonable hypotheses about complex physical situations that can be tested by experiment or by more developed theories of the phenomena.

For example if you are doing an experiment with numerous variable,you can use dimensional analysis to derive dimensionless groups, thereby reducing the number of experiments that need to be carried out to a manageable level. It is away of cutting down time and save money.

2007-03-18 07:10:07 · answer #1 · answered by The exclamation mark 6 · 0 0

I've had two years of both biology and chemistry. I'm also taking biotechnology and physics now.
I have never seen that term, and I'm using brand new books (Holt Physics, and Biotechnology, Science for the New Millennium by Ellyn Daugherty). I also just looked through my biology and chemistry books (which I bought because I still use them), and it isn't there either. They are both copyright 2000.

I really don't think the term is necessary if all books don't use them. If it were that important, I think I would have come across it before now, especially with the level of my classes. I guess it's just another way of getting the point across?
That would make sense since we all take in and process information differently.

2007-03-19 09:54:23 · answer #2 · answered by toothpickgurl 3 · 0 0

Dimensional prognosis is rather the technique of following the gadgets of your parts as you bypass with the aid of your equation. it rather is maximum clever in conversion operations - e.g. in case you desire to coach 5 seconds into hours you do ( 5s/a million ) * ( 1min/60s ) * ( 1hr/60min ). truly, you desire all your gadgets in those divisions and multiplications to cancel out, different than for the single unit you desire to finally finally end up with (as a effect, hours). on your 2nd question, you are able to desire to look on the gadgets. i will merely anticipate a number of the greater elementary ones as an occasion. m = meters, s = seconds s = ok * a^m * t^n m = ok * ( (m/s^2)^a million ) * ( s^2 ) Combining the stuff on the main superb ingredient: m = (ok * m * s^2) / (s^2) you will see that the seconds cancel out in the branch, so which you're left with: m = ok * m fixing for ok, you ultimately finally end up with a million. on the grounds that there are no longer any gadgets right here, you will see that ok must be a dimensionless consistent! wish that made sense!

2016-10-19 00:13:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Dimensional Analysis Definition Chemistry

2017-02-20 22:38:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Im in 11th grade and i have studied this in 1st chapter i.e physical world and measurement.U can find this in 11th grade books.

2007-03-18 07:30:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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