# The influenza A virus is a spherical virus

1. Sep 4, 2011

### lalahelp

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data[/b]
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 0.044 cm3 and 10−9 of that volume consists of viral particles, how many influenza viruses have just landed on you?

2. Relevant equations
4/3*Pi*r^3

3. The attempt at a solution
V=4/3(pi)(42.5^3)

Could some one show me how to convert the .044 cm3 to nm3
I know that .044 cm3 equals 4.4e^-8 m^3
so what do I then after?

2. Sep 4, 2011

### HallsofIvy

Re: conversion

According to Wikipedia, a "nanometer", 1 nm, is 1 billionth, or $10^{-9}$ m. A cubic nanometer, then, is $(10^{-9})^3= 10^{-27}$ cubic meter.

A cubic cm is, of course, $(10^{-2})^3= 10^{-6}$ cubic meter.

3. Sep 4, 2011

### lalahelp

Re: conversion

So .044 cm3 is equal to 4.4e^-21?