BME 2210: Supplementary Notes

Basic Constants and Conversion Factors

In engineering calculations it is often necessary to convert from one system of units to another. Listed below are the most
common constants and conversion factors. They are encountered repeatedly memorize them before Quiz 1.
Atomic weights:

C
Ca
Cl
Fe
H

=
=
=
=
=

12.0
40.0
35.5
55.8
1.0

K
N
Na
O
S

=
=
=
=
=

39.1
14.0
23.0
16.0
32.0

Molecular weights:

Water = 18
Glucose = 180

Length:

1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm = 106 microns (m) = 109 nanometers (nm) = 1010 angstroms (A)
1 in. = 2.54 cm
1 mi. = 5,280 ft = 1.61 kilometers (km)
Typical mammalian cell, diameter = 10 m

Mass:

1 kg = 1000 g = 0.001 metric ton = 2.2 lbm

1 lbm = 16 oz = 454 g = 0.454 kg = 5 x 10-4 ton

Volume:

1 m3 = 1000 L = 106 cm3 = 106 mL

1 ft3 = 7.48 gal = 28.3 L
Whole blood volume = 5 L (resting cardiac output = 5 L/min)

Density:

1 g/cm3 = 62.4 lbm /ft3 = 8.33 lbm/gal

1 g mol of an ideal gas at 0C, 760 mm Hg = 22.4 L
1 lb mol of an ideal gas at 32F, 14.7 psia = 359 ft3

Pressure:

1 atm = 760 mm Hg (torr) at 0C = 14.7 lbf/in.2 (psi)

1 atm = 29.92 in. Hg = 34 ft H2O
1 atm = 1.013 bar = 101.3 kPa = 1.013 x 106 dynes/cm2
1 Pa = 1 N/m2

Temperature:

1.0C = 1.8F or 1.0C = 1.8F

Temperature conversion between Fahrenheit and Centigrade scales by:
F = 1.8(C) + 32
Rankine = Fahrenheit + 460
Kelvin = Centigrade + 273
Room temperature = 25C (298K)
Body core temperature = 37C (310K)

Force:

1 lbf = 32.174 lbmft/s2 = 4.448 N = 4.448 kgm/s2 = 4.448 x 105 dynes

1 N = 1 kgm/s2
1 dyne = 1 gcm/s2

Energy:

1 Btu = 252 cal = 778 ft-lbf = 1055 Joules (J)

1 J = 107 dynecm

Power:

1 kW = 1000 J/s = 1.34 hp = 239 cal/s

Composition of Air:

For most engineering calculations, dry air may be considered by volume as 79% N2, 21% O2

STP

Standard temperature and pressure (0C, 1 atm)

Molar volume of an
ideal gas at STP

22.4 L/mol = 359 ft3/lbm-mole

Amino acid, avg = 135

Dry air = 28.84

DNA base pair, avg = 610

Protein, range = 5000 to 3x106