Unit Analysis and Problem Solving Script

In this video we will discuss two valuable tools for understanding chemistry questions.
These are unit analysis and systematic problem solving. Both of these are generally
applicable to quantitative problems but are extremely useful for chemistry for chemistry
questions

Unit Analysis is a method of arranging problems using the units of given quantities as
conversion factors. Using unit analysis to set up problems is important because it is an
efficient way to minimize errors in a multi-step calculation. Solving problems with this
method provides the units for the final answer, and an easy to follow solution. All
chemical calculation problems should be solved using unit analysis. To layout a
problem with unit analysis, string together a series of multiplication or division
calculations. Include units with every quantity, until arriving at the desired set of units for
your solution. To make sure your problem is set up correctly cancel out intermediate
units before doing the actual calculations. When you are confident your problem
arranged correctly, calculate your answer. For example, we can easily determine the
number of seconds in a week using unit analysis.

In this question start with the known quantity, one week, then multiply by known
conversion factors. For example there are seven days in one week, write the
conversion factors as fractions multiplied together, even if you think it is unnecessary,
problems will grow in complexity and it is easy to mix up a conversion. The conversion
factors we need to solve this problem are: seven days in one week, 24 hours in one
day, sixty minutes in one hour, and sixty seconds in one minute. After we have
arranged the calculation, make sure the units cancel.
If you need to review fraction multiplication and division be sure to read through the
math review section before continuing. Essentially, since we have set this problem up
as a series of fraction multiplications and divisions, the units in the numerators of the
fractions are divided by the units in the denominators of the fractions, this means a unit
in the numerator of the calculation cancels out if the same unit is in the denominator
somewhere in the calculation.

In our problem all of the units cancel out, except seconds. Since seconds is our desired
answer, we have set the problem up correctly and can continue with our calculation.
There are 604 800 seconds in one week. Seconds in per week is a straight forward
conversion. Let’s look at a different question.

This question demonstrates that unit analysis is an invaluable tool for solving problems.
In a two liter bottle of soda there are four servings, each serving is five hundred
milliliters and there are two hundred calories in one serving, how many calories are in a
two liter bottle of soda?

To answer the question you can easily multiply 4 servings by two hundred calories.
However, now that we have learned unit analysis we can set the problem up using
units. There is more than one correct method to solve this problem, either method will
yield the desired answer of 800 calories per bottle. The most efficient technique is to
multiply four servings per bottle with two hundred calories per serving. You could also
multiply the conversion factors: two liters per bottle, one thousand milliliters per liter and
two hundred calories per five hundred milliliters. This is a relatively simple question, but
it highlights that using unit analysis will be an asset to solving problems, especially as
calculations become long and intricate.

There is one more skill we need to discuss before beginning to tackle chemical
calculations, and that is problem solving. There are a number of ways that a problem
can be solved, this video presents a general six-step method for solving problems.

The first step to problem solving is to identify what is being asked, read the problem
carefully. Visualize what is being asked, draw pictures if required. The next step is to
identify and organize the given information in the problem, Step three is to identify what
information is missing and organize it, find the constants and data required, and list any
equations that may be required. Step four is to map out how you are going to solve the
problem, what process is required to solve the problem, how do equations need to be
manipulated? Use unit analysis to organize the solution. In step five the answer is
calculated by following the carefully mapped out solution, keep track of units and round
appropriately using significant figures, finish your calculation by writing a concluding
statement. The final step in this method is to check your answer, is this a reasonable
solution? Make sure the answer to your problem makes numerical and logical sense.

Let’s apply these steps to a problem. Christopher drives to work and then back home,
round trip he travels 40.0 km. Christopher’s car gets 12.8 km for every liter of gas. If
Christopher drives to work 5 days a week how much will it cost him in gas each year?
Assuming the price of gas stays at $0.95 a liter, it is not a leap year, and Christopher
does not take a vacation.
The problem is asking for the cost of gas paid by Christopher every year. The units for
the solution will be dollars per year. What information is provided by the problem? The
distance is 40.0 km/day the cost of gas is $0.95/L the amount drive time is 5 days/week
and the efficiency of the car is 12.8 km/L. What information is missing from the
problem? In addition to the given information we will need the conversion factor there
are fifty two weeks per one year. We are now able arrange a solution, remember we
are looking for the units dollars per year, so the units must work out to dollars in the
numerator, and year in the denominator. We are now ready to calculate the answer,
round to the correct number of significant figures and write a concluding statement. It
costs Christopher $ 771.90 per year for gas to travel to work. Let’s consider this
answer, is it reasonable, $ 771.90 may seem like a small amount of money to pay for
gas for the entire year, however, the distance Christopher drives to work is not far. This
solution is reasonable.

This concludes our unit analysis and problem solving video, by now, you should be
comfortable using unit analysis to solve problems, and have a solid approach to
problem solving. After watching this video be sure to complete the chemical math
section of the module to practice unit analysis, problem solving and formula
manipulations that you will require to be successful completing chemical calculations.