" 10) Explain how using dimensional analysis could have prevented this crash. In other words, why is your chemistry teacher so enthusiastic about making you show the railroad with all units?! Answer with complete sentences. "

Question

" 10)	Explain how using dimensional analysis could have prevented this crash. In other words, why is your chemistry teacher so enthusiastic about making you show the railroad with all units?! Answer with complete sentences. "

TheTiredCat · Answer

The crash being The Crash of Flight 143

Vocaloid · Answer

I found an article that explains why the crash happened: “ The Fuel Quantity Information System computer on Flight 143 was malfunctioning, so ground crew in Montreal loaded the fuel manually using calculations involving the specific gravity of jet fuel. But the factor they used was 1.77 pounds/litre, not the all-metric 0.8 kg/litre required for the new 767. The plane had half the fuel it needed to reach Edmonton. The plane began to run out of gas near Red Lake, Ont., 225 kilometres from Gimli.” If they checked their units using dimensional analysis, they would have realized that their units were not consistent (their formula would contain conflicting kg and lb units). At the final step of dimensional analysis you always check to make sure your units cross out and you’re left with the appropriate units at the end. That’s why it’s always important to show what units you’re working with. Reference: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4754039