Sometimes in science or math it is necessary to convert units of measure. However, you cannot convert milligrams to centimeters squared because that involves conversion between incomparable dimensions (mass and area). You can, though, convert grams of water to cubic centimeters, or estimate the volume of substances with densities very close to water, by converting from milligrams to cubic centimeters. This conversion is possible because an object (which has mass) exists in three dimensions -- length, width and height -- and therefore has volume.
- Paper
- Pen or pencil
- List of densities of materials being converted (see Resources)
- Calculator (optional)
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Instructions
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1
Convert your material from milligrams into grams. To do this, divide your value (in milligrams) by 1,000.
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2
Find the density of the material for which you are trying to perform the conversion. If the density of the material is close to that of water (1 gram per cubic centimeter) then continue to Step 3. If not, then stop here. The value cannot be found via this method.
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3
Replace the abbreviation for grams with the abbreviation for cubic centimeters. (The number value does not change 1 gram = 1 cubic centimeter).
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4
Record your answer.