Scientific Tutor

What is the lesson about?

This lesson is about how to convert between the different measurements that are very commonly used in chemistry. Just like in your daily life, you convert between common things like time and distance. How long does it take you to get the class or work? Well, if it is 15 miles away then it may take you 20 minutes to get there. Now if you ask the question,” what time should you get up?” Then the 20 minutes is going to be a far more important measurement for you. However, if you are asking how much does each trip cost you then the 15 miles can be converted into a money amount that you can calculate. We do these different conversions every day and don’t notice it. In chemistry the same happens. The only difference is we are not used to the units of chemistry yet.

Why is it critical to understand?

If you have trouble with this chapter, then you are going to have trouble going forward in the chemistry class. Many of the units and questions displayed in this lesson are going to be added into later lessons like stoichiometry. Besides that, it is important to know for those people that make, use, or dispense things like drugs professionally. Drugs like aspirin are usually labeled on the bottle in grams or milligrams. This is in fact, not how you should measure their affects on your body. Their affects on your body are mostly determined by how many molecules are in the drug. So if you cannot convert between those two then you will not be able to safely make, use, or dispense that drug on a professional level. Other scientific fields like ecology (the study of the environment and its interactions with life) also can find significance either in how many of something you have or what is the total weight of the animals. Each situation is different and so to be able to convert between them allows you to sometimes find meaningful information.

What should you know before attempting this lesson?

It is strongly suggested that you know the sections of Introduction to Problem Solving, Unit Conversions, and Calculating the Molar Mass of Compounds before you start learning this lesson.

New Learning Sections:

—> How to Convert Between Grams and Moles

—> How to Convert Between Grams and Molecules

—> How to Convert Between Grams and Atoms

—> Empirical and Molecular Formula Explanation Part 1

—> Empirical and Molecular Formulas by Molar Mass Part 2

—> Empirical Formula from Mass Part 3

—> Empirical Formula from Percent Part 4

—> Empirical and Molecular Formula from Mass and Percent Part 5

Reference Pages:

—> Standard Periodic Table

—> Grams to Molecules Conversion Map

Worksheets:

—> Grams Moles Molecules Atoms Worksheet 1

—> Grams Moles Molecules Atoms Worksheet 1 WITH ANSWERS