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. The first step in the solution to many
problems often involves conversion of the data to a more convenient system of units. Listed below are the most common constants and
conversion factors. They are encountered repeatedly please memorize them.

Atomic weights: Fe=55.8 Na=23.0

C=12.0 H=1.0 O=16.0
Ca=40.0 K=39.1 S=32.0
Cl=35.5 N=14.0

Molecular weights: Water = 18 Amino acid, avg = 135 DNA base pair, avg = 610
Glucose = 180 Dry air = 28.84 Protein, range = 5000 to 3x106

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

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

1 lbm = 16 oz = 454 gm = 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)
Total lung capacity = 6.0 L, tidal volume = 0.500 L, breathing frequency = 12 breaths/min

Density: 1 gm/cm3 = 62.4 lbm /ft3 = 8.33 lbm/gal

1 gm 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 at 0C (torr) = 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
Systemic blood pressure = 120/80 mmHg

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 = 25 C (298K); Body core temperature = 37 C (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

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

Energy / Work: 1 Btu = 252 cal = 778 ft-lbf (foot-pound force) = 1055 Joules (J)
1 J = 107 dynecm

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

Dynamic Viscosity (): 1 poise = 100 cP = 1 dynes/cm2 = 1 g/(cms) = 1/10 Pas = 1/10 Ns/m2
Water at 20.2oC has an absolute viscosity of 1 cP

Kinematic Viscosity (): 1 stoke (St) = 100 cSt = 1 cm2/s = 100 mm2/s = 10-4 m2/s
( = / )

Torque: 1 Nm = 1 kgm2/s2 = 0.738 lbf-ft (pound-foot)

Last revised 08Jan16