High School

Convert the given numbers in SI units to the corresponding U.S. Customary units indicated.
(a) Convert 122 nm to inches.
(b) Convert 3.21 kg to lb-s2/in.
(c) Convert 13.2 kN to pounds.
(d) Convert 93.2 kg-m² to slug-in.

Answer :

Final answer:

Converting SI units to U.S. Customary units involves using established conversion factors for length, mass, and other physical quantities. For lengths, 1 inch equals 2.54 x 10^7 nanometers, and for force, 1 kilonewton equals approximately 224.809 pounds. Always ensure using the correct conversion factor for the corresponding physical quantity. The correct option is b).

Explanation:

To convert from SI units to U.S. Customary units, it is critical to use proper conversion factors. In the given tasks, we are tasked with converting different measures like length, mass, and moment of inertia from metric (SI) units to their respective U.S. Customary units. Here are the steps for a few examples provided:

Examples of Unit Conversion


  • To convert nanometers to inches, we use 1 inch = 2.54 x 107 nanometers. For example, converting 122 nm to inches would involve dividing 122 by 2.54 x 107, because one inch equals 2.54 x 107 nanometers.

  • To convert kilograms to pounds (lb-s2/in), we would typically use 1 pound = 0.454 kg and then adjust for the acceleration due to gravity.

  • To convert kilonewtons to pounds, use the fact that 1 kN is approximately equal to 224.809 pounds.

Each conversion requires meticulous work so as not to introduce errors in the calculations or misunderstand the units. Always remember to check whether the conversion is for force, mass, or another physical quantity, as each will have different conversion factors.

For other quantities such as the moment of inertia, the conversion from kilogram-meter squared to slug-foot squared (slug-in) requires knowledge of the relationship between SI and U.S. Customary units for both mass and length.