In component datasheets and tables, since actual, physical components "with distinct physical dimensions and characteristics" are under consideration, thermal resistance is frequently given in absolute units of formula_123 or formula_124, since the two are equivalent. However, thermal conductivity, which is its reciprocal, is frequently given in specific units of formula_125. It is therefore often necessary to convert between absolute and specific units, by also taking a component's physical dimensions into consideration, in order to correlate the two using information provided, or to convert tabulated values of specific thermal conductivity into absolute thermal resistance values for use in thermal resistance calculations. This is particularly useful, for example, when calculating the maximum power a component can dissipate as heat, as demonstrated in the example calculation here.