Unit conversions are vital in chemistry, as measurements must often be translated between different units to preserve accuracy and consistency. For density calculations, converting between units like grams (g), milliliters (mL), and cubic centimeters (cm³) is common.
Here are key things you need to remember about unit conversions in chemistry:
- 1 mL = 1 cm³: Milliliters and cubic centimeters are equivalent units of volume.
- 1 L = 1000 mL: Liters are larger units, often used in more extensive volume measurements.
- Use significant figures: Ensure the precision of your calculations by considering the number of significant figures given in the problem.
To illustrate this, let's look at our example problem where 21.5 g of \(\text{CHCl}_3\) needs to be converted to volume using its density (1.484 g/mL). By rearranging the density formula to solve for volume, you divide the mass by the density:
\[ \text{Volume} = \frac{21.5 \text{ g}}{1.484 \text{ g/mL}} \]
Incorporating unit conversions ensures measurements are accurate, aiding in reliable results for chemical reactions and solutions.