![]() Repeat: you will use the proper exponential value (like 10 5) in a solution to a problem you will NEVER use just the exponent (the 5) in a solution. The 5 is only used in descriptions about how to determine the distance. In other words, 10 5 is used in the solution to the problem the 5 by itself will never be used. In the problems to follow, the exponential form will be the one used. 2 K 2000 m Note: When a number does not have a decimal point, it is understood to be at the end of the number. Done as an exponent, the absolute exponential distance between kilo- and centi- is 10 5. Kilo Hecto Deca Base Deci Centi Milli You are moving the decimal point left to right 3 spaces that is, kilo to the base unit is three spaces over to the right. ![]() The absolute exponential distance between 3 and -2 is 5, not 1. For example, someone might mentally do the distance between kilo and centi by comparing the exponents of positive 3 and negative 2 and getting one. What you should do is compare the two exponents as if they were placed on a number line made of exponents and the compute the absolute exponential distance between them. The distance between kilo and centi is 10 5. For example, the absolute distance between milli and centi is 10 1. The skill I'm talking about is figuring out the absolute, exponential distance between two prefixes. It is an important skill that goes somewhat untaught, so I've decided to address it. It seems that everybody just assumes students pick it up somewhere in a math class. The reason is that this particular skill isn't really mentioned by chemistry (or physics) teachers. This next set of problems deserves some comment. Problems concerning the exponential distance between two prefixes This makes it a prime target for teachers to test. Given either the name or the symbol of the prefix, give the other:Ī word to the wise: deca- (symbol = da) is a little used unit prefix. Here are only some possible problems (of many): Problems could give any one and ask for one or both of the others. There are three items - name, symbol, and size - that must be known. Notice anything? And, no, I did not copy them. For example, centigram means we are count in steps of one one-hundredth of a gram, μg means we count by millionths of a gram.įor another presentation of these prefixes, please go here. These skills will be necessary in order to correctly convert one metric unit to another.Ī metric prefix is a modifier on the root word and it tells us the unit of measure. Note for the future: you will need to determine which of two prefixes represents a bigger amount AND you will also need to determine the exponential "distance" between two prefixes. There is even someone selling an e-book for metric prefix flashcards. Here is a search for metric prefix flashcards. ![]() In order to properly convert from one metric unit to another, you must have the prefixes memorized. Do share it with anyone you think will benefit from this mnemonic.A brief discussion of the basic metric units. Do that on both sides, except you place negative sign (-) on the right hand side (refer to the image, it’ll make more sense). So, here goes, the mnemonic I created for the 12 prefixes in sequence:Īs for the exponent value, just start with 0 at base. Then, the rest are 1 lower case letter (k, h, d, c, m, n, p), except deca (da) and micro (μ). The first three (Tera, Giga, Mega) are abbreviated with 1 upper case letter (T, G and M, respectively). Here’s the thing, each of these prefixes have their own abbreviation/symbol. – Tera – Giga – Mega – kilo – hecto – deca – deci – centi – mili – micro – nano – pico – So, here we go, introducing the 12 prefixes: That’s why I developed a mnemonic to help them memorize all 12 prefixes they need for the course. Need to convert between prefixes like from picosecond to microsecond? Or kilometer to milimeter? Do you need to memorize the SI prefixes? Find it difficult to remember the letters/symbols, sequence and exponent value? If you answered yes, then you are not alone.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |