Solve Density Problem: Mercury in Lake | Mass = 6 x 105 kg

  • Thread starter ThatDude
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Density
In summary, the conversation discusses the effects of mercury poisoning on the human body and the calculation of the total mass of mercury in a polluted lake. The calculation is based on converting the given concentration of mercury into density and using the equation mass = density * volume. The resulting answer is 6 x 105 kg, which may differ from other sources due to rounding or conversion discrepancies.
  • #1
ThatDude
33
0

Homework Statement



Mercury poisoning is a debilitating disease that is often fatal.
In the human body, mercury reacts with essential enzymes
leading to irreversible inactivity of these enzymes. If the
amount of mercury in a polluted lake is 0.4 μg Hg/mL, what
is the total mass in kilograms of mercury in the lake? (The lake
has a surface area of 100 mi2 and an average depth of 20 ft.)

Homework Equations



mass = density * volume

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried converting the density to Kg and the volume to cm3 = mL

Mass = density * volume

= ( (0.4 μg)(1 g/ 106 μg) (10-3 kg / 1 g) ) * ( (100 mi2)(52802 ft2 / 1 mi2)(30.482 cm2 / 1 ft2) (20 ft)(30.48 cm / 1 ft) )

My answer is 6 x 105 kg however the textbook says it's 7 x 105 kg.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
0.4 μg Hg/mL is not a density, it is a concentration. Accidentally, it requires the same approach. I got 6x105 as well.
 

1. What is the definition of density?

Density is defined as the mass of a substance per unit volume.

2. How do you calculate density?

Density can be calculated by dividing the mass of a substance by its volume.

3. What is the density of mercury in Lake?

The density of mercury in Lake is 6 x 10^5 kg/m^3, based on the given information.

4. How do you solve for mass given density and volume?

To solve for mass, multiply the density by the volume of the substance.

5. How does the density of mercury in Lake affect its environment?

The high density of mercury in Lake means that it will sink to the bottom and potentially contaminate the sediment and organisms living there. This can have negative impacts on the ecosystem and human health if the contaminated organisms are consumed.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • General Math
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
16
Views
6K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
12K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
18K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
25
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
5K
Back
Top