BME 2110: 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=1.00 O=16.0
Ca=40.0 K=39.1 S=32.0
Cl=35.5 N=14.0 P=31.0
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 Yard = 3 ft = 36 in = 91.44 cm
1 mi. = 5,280 ft = 1.61 kilometers
Typical mammalian cell, diameter = 10 μ 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)
Total lung capacity = 6.0 L, tidal volume = 0.500 L, breathing frequency = 12 breaths/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 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
PA= Patm + Pg
Temperature: 1.0 C = 1.8 F (or a 1 degree change in Celsius is equal to 1.8 degrees change in Fahrenheit).
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
by mole percentage as 79% N2, 21% O2.
by weight percentage as 76% N2, 24% 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 at 273 K
Energy / Work: 1 Btu = 252 cal = 778 ft-lbf (foot-pound force) = 1055 Joules (J)
1 J = 107 dynecm
1 cal = 4.184 Joules (J)
1 food calorie = 1000 cal
Power: 1 kW = 1000 J/s = 1.34 hp = 239 cal/s
