Question

A student gains \(1.9 \mathrm{lb}\) in two weeks. How many grams did he gain?

Short answer

The student gained approximately 861.8 grams.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Conversion Rate

Firstly, recognize the conversion rate from pounds to grams. There are approximately 453.59237 grams in one pound.

Set up the Conversion Equation

To convert pounds to grams, use the conversion rate in a multiplication equation. Multiply the number of pounds by the number of grams per pound.

Calculate the Weight in Grams

Multiply the student's weight gain in pounds (1.9 lb) by the conversion factor (453.59237 grams per pound) to find the weight gain in grams. \[ \mathrm{Weight\_ in\_ grams} = 1.9 \times 453.59237 \]

Perform the Multiplication

Complete the multiplication to find the final answer. \[ 1.9 \times 453.59237 \approx 861.8243 \]

Key concepts

Pounds to Grams Conversion

When working with measurements in different systems, such as the Imperial system (using pounds) and the Metric system (using grams), it’s essential to understand how to convert between these units accurately. The conversion from pounds to grams is a common task in various fields, including chemistry, cooking, and even personal weight tracking.

The key to conversion is the use of a conversion factor, which is a numerical value that allows you to change a measurement from one unit to another. For the pounds to grams conversion, the established factor is that one pound is equivalent to approximately 453.59237 grams. So, when you need to convert pounds to grams, you multiply the number of pounds by this factor.

For example, if a student gains 1.9 pounds, the conversion to grams would involve the equation: \[ \text{Weight in grams} = 1.9 \times 453.59237 \]. By calculating this, you can determine that the student gained about 861.8243 grams.

Mass Unit Conversion

Mass unit conversion is a fundamental concept in chemistry and other sciences, as it allows for the standardized comparison and calculation of quantities. Understanding how to convert mass between different units enables students and professionals to accurately follow recipes, scale experiments, or interpret scientific data.

Units of mass range from larger units like tons and kilograms, to smaller units like pounds and grams, all the way down to milligrams and micrograms. Each unit is appropriate for measuring different scales of mass, with pounds and grams being intermediate and commonly used in everyday contexts.

Conversion between units relies not only on memorization of conversion factors but also on clear understanding of the relationship between different units within the same system (Metric or Imperial) and across these systems. In practice, this involves not only simple multiplication but also division, depending on the direction of the conversion. For instance, converting from a smaller unit to a larger one involves division by the conversion factor, while converting from a larger unit to a smaller one includes multiplication.

Chemistry Problem Solving

Chemistry problem solving encompasses a wide range of skills and methodologies to answer questions or sort through challenges within the subject. It often involves step-by-step reasoning, mathematical calculations, and an understanding of scientific concepts to arrive at a solution.

To tackle a problem effectively in chemistry, such as converting mass between different units, it involves several steps:

• Identifying the known and unknown variables
• Understanding the concepts (like mass, moles, concentration)
• Choosing the correct approach or equation
• Performing the required calculations with careful unit conversions
• Interpreting the result in a scientific context

Mastering these steps requires practice, but it forms the core of problem-solving proficiency in chemistry. Not only does this methodical approach help in academic settings, but also in research, where accurate measurements and conversions are crucial for experimental integrity and successful outcomes.