The discussion revolves around converting measurements into standard SI units, specifically focusing on the conversion of 86.6 meters and related unit conversions such as millimeters and microvolts.
The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights into unit conversions and clarifying misunderstandings. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of SI units and the appropriate conversions, but there is still some confusion about specific conversions and the correct base units.
Participants express frustration over the conversion process and the potential for misunderstanding between different unit prefixes. There is mention of homework constraints, such as needing to enter answers in a specific format.
Which is the same as 8.66x10-2, so why did you say it was wrong initially?kLPantera said:it's a sheet of paper. I got this one now though. 86.6/1000 = 0.0866 which is 8.66E-2.
vela said:Which is the same as 8.66x10-2, so why did you say it was wrong initially?
No, you need to know what the base units are in SI. For mass, it's the kilogram; for length, it's the meter; and for time, it's the second. There's only one unit for each type of quantity, so all times are in terms of the second, not minutes or hours.kLPantera said:Ok I got it. My trouble is that I'm not sure what to convert it into. Like if it's mg I have to convert it go grams right? Or if it's pectoseconds I convert it to a minute? If fentometers then just to meters?
I wouldn't say what you did was wrong, at least based on how I interpret what you did. Multiplying by 10-3 is the same as dividing by 1000. It's perfectly fine to think of it this way:kLPantera said:I said it was wrong initially because the way I derived it was wrong.