Unit Conversion Charts for the Analytical Chemist
An analytical chemist needs to express analytical data in units which may require conversion to other units for ease of calculation and communication of results. Most modern analytical techniques are capable of expressing results in different units at the push of a button but a basic understanding of inter-conversions and factors involved is essential to gain confidence on results that you communicate.
Measurement units commonly used in analytical work introduced you to the common units that you come across while doing your routine analysis. However, it would be a big help if you have ready access to the interconversion charts. In the present article simple interconversion charts are presented on units that you are likely to come across during routine laboratory activities.
|
Length |
||
| From | To |
Conversion Factor |
| cm | mm | 10 |
| cm | m | 10-1 |
| m | cm | 102 |
| mm | µm | 103 |
| µm | mm | 10-3 |
| Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Time | ||
| From | To |
Conversion factor |
| sec | m sec | 103 |
| sec | µsec | 106 |
| sec | nano sec | 109 |
| sec | Pico sec | 1012 |
| m sec | sec | 10-3 |
| µ sec | sec | 10-6 |
| nanosec | sec | 10-9 |
| pico sec | sec | 10-12 |
|
Mass |
||
| From | To | Conversion Fcator |
| gm | mg | 103 |
| gm | µg | 106 |
| gm | ηg | 109 |
| gm | pg | 1012 |
| mg | gm | 10-3 |
| µg | gm | 10-6 |
| ηg | gm | 10-9 |
| pg | gm | 10-12 |
|
Volume |
||
| From | To |
Conversion Factor |
| lit | ml | 103 |
| lit | µl | 106 |
| ml | lit | 10-3 |
| ml | µl | 103 |
| µl | ml | 10-3 |
| µl | lit | 106 |
| Temperature | ||
| From | To | Conversion Factor |
| OC | OF | (OC-32)x 5/9 |
| OF | OC | (OCx9/5)+32 |
| OC | OK | OC+273.15 |
| Heat | ||
| From | To | Conversion Factor |
| calories | milli calories | 103 |
| calories | joules | 4.184 |
| joules | calories | 0.239 |
| Electrical Units | ||
| From | To | Conversion Factor |
| amperes | milliamperes | 103 |
| milli amperes | amperes | 10-3 |
| amperes | micro amperes | 106 |
| micro amperes | amperes | 10-6 |
| volts | millivolts | 103 |
| volts | microvolts | 106 |
|
Concentration |
||
| From | To | Conversion Factor |
| moles | millimoles | X103 |
| millimoles | moles | X10-3 |
| ppm (mg/l) | ppb(µg/l) | X103 |
| ppm (mg/l) | ppt (ηg/l) | X106 |
| ppb | ppm | X10-3 |
| ppt | ppm |
X10-6 |
|
Pressure |
||
| From | To | Conversion Factor |
| bar | pascal | 105 |
| bar | psi | 14.50 |
| pascal | torr | 0.0075 |
| torr | pascal | 133.32 |
| mm of Hg | atmosphere | 0.00132 |
| mm of Hg | pascal | 133.32 |
| mm of Hg | torr | 1 |
| psi | bar | 0.0689 |
| psi | pascal | 6894.75 |
| psi | torr | 51.72 |
| psi | mm of Hg |
51.72 |
|
Wavelength |
||
| From | To | Conversion Factor |
| meters | µm | 106 |
| µm | meters | 10-6 |
| cm | µm | 104 |
| µm | cm | 10-4 |
| λ µm | wavenumber (cm-1) | 104/ λ (m µ) |
| wavenumber (cm-1) | λ µm |
104/ / λ (cm-1 ) |
The charts would serve as a ready reference and will save your valuable time spent otherwise searching for conversion factors. Hopefully the information would prove to be useful.
Please feel free to offer your comments on the compilation.
good data and conversion procedure for easy reference.