Calculate the Number of Influenza Viruses on You

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the number of influenza viruses based on the volume of saliva and the size of the virus. The problem involves understanding the volume of a spherical virus and converting units appropriately.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the volume calculation of the influenza virus and the conversion of units from cubic centimeters to cubic nanometers. There are inquiries about the number of nanometers in a centimeter and cubic nanometers in a cubic centimeter.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on unit conversions and calculations, while others are exploring different interpretations of the problem. There is a focus on ensuring that all measurements are in compatible units before performing calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are questioning the assumptions made regarding the volume of saliva and the proportion of that volume that consists of viral particles. There is an emphasis on the need for consistent units throughout the calculations.

gmunoz18
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Homework Statement



A typical virus is a packet of protein and DNA (or RNA) and can be spherical in shape. The influenza A virus is a spherical virus that has a diameter of 85 nm. If the volume of saliva coughed onto you by your friend with the flu is 0.023 cm3 and 10^-9 of that volume consists of viral particles, how many influenza viruses have just landed on you?


Homework Equations



v=(4/3)*pi*r^3




The Attempt at a Solution




4/3*pi*42.5^3=volume of virus

321555 nm^3 volume of one virus

(.023cm^3)*(10^-9)= 2.3e-10 cm^3 contains virus = .0023 nl


Which part of my math is wrong? this just doesn't seem right at all. The volume of one virus is less than what spilled on him.
 
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I would convert .023cm^3 into nm^3, then find out how many total virus particles there are, then multiply by 10^-9.
 
how many nanometers are in a centimeter?
 
granpa said:
how many nanometers are in a centimeter?

10 million
 
how many cubic nanometers in a cubic centimeter?
 
granpa said:
how many cubic nanometers in a cubic centimeter?

1e21
 
how many nanometers of spit?
 
gmunoz18 said:

Homework Statement



A typical virus is a packet of protein and DNA (or RNA) and can be spherical in shape. The influenza A virus is a spherical virus that has a diameter of 85 nm. If the volume of saliva coughed onto you by your friend with the flu is 0.023 cm3 and 10^-9 of that volume consists of viral particles, how many influenza viruses have just landed on you?


Homework Equations



v=(4/3)*pi*r^3




The Attempt at a Solution




4/3*pi*42.5^3=volume of virus

321555 nm^3 volume of one virus

(.023cm^3)*(10^-9)= 2.3e-10 cm^3 contains virus = .0023 nl
.023= 2.3*10^-2. (.023)(10^-9)= 2.3*10^-11.


Which part of my math is wrong? this just doesn't seem right at all. The volume of one virus is less than what spilled on him.
You have calculated The volume of one virus and the volume of all the viruses. Convert to the same units and divide the volume of all the viruses by the volume of one to determine how many viruses there were.
 
granpa said:
how many nanometers of spit?

2.3e19
 
  • #10
how many nanometers of virus?
 
  • #11
granpa said:
how many nanometers of virus?

2.3e11

so at this point could I just do 2.3e11/321555?

and come up with 715274
 
  • #12
10^-9=1e-9

yes, you simply divide
 
  • #13
thanks a lot for the walkthrough help!
 

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