Convert 500 mL to liters
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
500 milliliters (mL) = 0.5 liters (L)
Explanation (300 words)
To convert milliliters (mL) to liters (L), you need to understand the relationship between these two metric units of volume.
The metric system is based on powers of 10, making conversions straightforward. The basic unit of volume in the metric system is the liter (L), and the milliliter (mL) is a subunit of the liter.
By definition: 1 liter=1,000 milliliters1\ \text{liter} = 1,000\ \text{milliliters}
This means that to convert milliliters to liters, you divide the number of milliliters by 1,000.
So, for 500 milliliters: 500 mL1000=0.5 L\frac{500\ \text{mL}}{1000} = 0.5\ \text{L}
Thus, 500 mL is equal to 0.5 liters.
Why This Is Important
Volume measurements are frequently used in science, cooking, medicine, and everyday life. Understanding how to convert between milliliters and liters allows for proper measurement and communication, especially when dealing with recipes, laboratory experiments, or medical dosages.
For example:
- A standard water bottle might contain 500 mL of water, which is half a liter.
- In medical settings, intravenous (IV) fluids are often measured in liters and milliliters; giving too much or too little can be dangerous.
Knowing this conversion ensures that you can interpret and apply volume measurements accurately.
Quick Tip
To convert from mL to L, move the decimal three places to the left.
To convert from L to mL, move the decimal three places to the right.
Examples:
- 1,000 mL = 1 L
- 250 mL = 0.25 L
- 1.5 L = 1,500 mL
So remember:
500 mL = 0.5 L ✅