Fundamental Constants and Conversion Factors

PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS, USEFUL CONVERSION FACTORS, AND FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS... 

A34 appendix d periodic table of the elements, useful conversion factors, and fundamental constants... 

Units, Conversion Factors and Fundamental Constants in the SI System... 

Baum, E. M., H. D. Knox, and T. R. Miller. 2010. Chart of the Nuclides, 17th ed. New York Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Lockheed Martin. Available as either a wall chart or a textbook version, this publication shows the key nuclear properties of the known stable and radioactive forms of the elements. In chart format, the nuchdes are arranged with the atomic number along the vertical axis and the neutron number along the horizontal axis. Descriptive information includes a history of the development of the periodic table, descriptions of the type of data on the chart, and unit conversion factors and fundamental physics constants. 

This book provides a handy and convenient source of formulas, conversion factors and constants for students and professionals in engineering, chemistry, mathematics and physics. Section 1 covers the fundamental tools of mathematics needed in all areas of the physical sciences. Section 2 summarizes the SI system (International System of Units of measurement), lists conversion factors and gives precise values of fundamental constants. Sections 3 and 4 review the basic terms of spectroscopy, atomic structure and wave mechanics. These sections serve as a guide to the interpretation of modem literature. Section 5 is a resource for work in the laboratory, listing data and formulas needed in connection with frequently used equipment such as vacuum systems and electronic devices. Material constants and other data are listed for information and as an aid for estimates or problem solving. 

A common feature of most evaluation efforts is the reduction of all published data to the same basis. Corrections for changes in temperature scale, atomic weights, fundamental physical constants, conversion factors, and other auxiliary data must be made before a true evaluation can be started. This often requires considerable effort to deduce the auxiliary data used by the original authors. Documentation of the conditions of measurement is often sketchy in the older literature (and, for that matter, in current papers where authors sometimes fail to specify all the variables that might affect their measurements). 

The system of atomic units was developed to simplify mathematical equations by setting many fundamental constants equal to 1. This is a means for theorists to save on pencil lead and thus possible errors. It also reduces the amount of computer time necessary to perform chemical computations, which can be considerable. The third advantage is that any changes in the measured values of physical constants do not affect the theoretical results. Some theorists work entirely in atomic units, but many researchers convert the theoretical results into more familiar unit systems. Table 2.1 gives some conversion factors for atomic units. 

Section 2 combines the former separate section on Mathematics with the material involving General Information and Conversion Tables. The fundamental physical constants reflect values recommended in 1986. Physical and chemical symbols and definitions have undergone extensive revision and expansion. Presented in 14 categories, the entries follow recommendations published in 1988 by the lUPAC. The table of abbreviations and standard letter symbols provides, in a sense, an alphabetical index to the foregoing tables. The table of conversion factors has been modified in view of recent data and inclusion of SI units cross-entries for archaic or unusual entries have been curtailed. 

Note that in this example the conversion factors are not pure numbers, but have dimensions, and involve the fundamental physical constants h9 c, e, me, a0 and L. Also in this example the necessary conversion factors could have been taken directly from the table on the inside back cover. 

Presented in this appendix are a list of basic and derived SI units, some fundamental constants frequently required by inorganic chemists, and some useful conversion factors. 

The present third edition has been substantially revised and extended with new sections (e.g. on uncertainty) compared to the second edition. The most accurate recent fundamental physical constants and atomic masses are tabulated. The symbol as well as the subject index has been extended considerably to facilitate the usage of the Green Book. A table of numerical energy conversion factors is given and the most recent lUPAC periodic table of the elements is given on the inside back cover. 

This chapter outlines and lists the symbols, terminology and nomenclature, the units and conversion factors, the order of formulae, the standard conditions, and the fundamental physical constants used in this volume. They are derived from international standards and have been specially adjusted for the TDB publications. 

Conversion factors from joules into MeV, amu, and grams are based on the 1965 fundamental physical constants of App. A. 

Tables for fundamental constants, conversion factors for energy units and entropy gases are presented in Chapter 8.

Appendix 2 Fundamental Constants, Units, and Conversion Factors... 

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