Q36E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

Indicate the SI base units or derived units that are appropriate for the following measurements:

1. The length of a marathon race (26 miles 385 yards)
2. The mass of an automobile
3. The volume of a swimming pool
4. The speed of an airplane
5. The density of gold
6. The area of a football field
7. The maximum temperature at the South Pole on April 1, 1913 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) The length of a marathon race is in meters (m).

(b) The mass of an automobile is in kilograms (kg).

(c) The volume of a swimming pool is meter^3.

(d) The speed of an airplane is (m/s).

(e) The density of gold is (kg/m³).

(f) The area of a football field is (m²).

(g) The maximum temperature at the South Pole was in Kelvin (K).

Step 1: Determine the definition of base units and derived units.

A base unit is defined arbitrarily and not by combinations of other units. In contrast, a derived unit is a SI unit of measurement composed of a combination of the seven base units (Kg, m, s, A, K, mol, cd).

Step 2: Determine the appropriate SI unit or derived unit

The appropriate SI base unit or derived units are as follows:

The SI base unit for the length of a marathon race is the meter (m).

The SI base unit for the mass of an automobile is the kilogram (kg).

The derived SI unit for the volume of a swimming pool is meter^3.

The SI-derived SI unit for the speed of an airplane is (m/s).

The derived SI unit for the density of gold is (kg/m³).

The derived SI unit for the area of a football field is (m²).

The SI base unit for the maximum temperature at the South Pole was in Kelvin (K).