Unit Conversion of CO Concentration in Basement to Micro-gram/m^3

In summary, the conversation discusses measuring the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) near a water heater in an old home. The concentration is found to be 0.1% by volume at 22°C and 1 atm. The equations PV=nRT and {% by volume} x 10000 = ppm are mentioned, with the correct conversion being 0.1% = 1000 ppm. To calculate the concentration in micro-gram/m^3, one would need to take 1 m3 of air at 22°C and P = 1 atm and determine how many μg of CO are in that cubic meter at a concentration of 0.1% by volume.
  • #1
saructk
3
0

Homework Statement


The air near a water heater in the basement of an old home is measured for carbon monoxide (CO) and found to contain 0.1% by volume CO at 22*C and 1 atm. Express the CO concentration in the basement in micro-gram/m^3 .

Homework Equations


PV=nRT
P = absolute pressure (atm); V = volume (m3 ); n = mass (mole); R = ideal gas constant = 0.082056 L atm K−1 mol−1 ; and T = absolute temperature (K).

The Attempt at a Solution


The answer said that 0.1% = 10^−3 ppm = 10^3 L CO/ 10^6 L air. But in the book it also has equation to express that {% by volume} x 10000 =ppm. I don't know which one is correct and how to use them.

Beside, after I have calculated the gram of CO, how to relate it with the micro-gram/m^3 ?
thank you.
 
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  • #2
saructk said:

Homework Statement


The air near a water heater in the basement of an old home is measured for carbon monoxide (CO) and found to contain 0.1% by volume CO at 22*C and 1 atm. Express the CO concentration in the basement in micro-gram/m^3 .

Homework Equations


PV=nRT
P = absolute pressure (atm); V = volume (m3 ); n = mass (mole); R = ideal gas constant = 0.082056 L atm K−1 mol−1 ; and T = absolute temperature (K).

The Attempt at a Solution


The answer said that 0.1% = 10^−3 ppm = 10^3 L CO/ 10^6 L air. But in the book it also has equation to express that {% by volume} x 10000 =ppm. I don't know which one is correct and how to use them.

There's a typo here, either from your textbook or introduced by copying from it.

1 ppm = 1 / 106

0.1% = 103 ppm = 1000 ppm, which is the same as saying that 0.1% CO by volume = 1000 L of CO in 106 L of air

If 0.1% = 1000 ppm, then how many ppm is 1% ?

Beside, after I have calculated the gram of CO, how to relate it with the micro-gram/m^3 ?
thank you.

Take 1 m3 of air at 22°C and P = 1 atm. How many μg of CO are in that cubic meter if the concentration is 0.1% by volume?
 

1. What is the definition of ppm?

PPM stands for parts per million, and it is a unit of measurement used to express the concentration of a substance in a solution or mixture.

2. How do you convert ppm to percent?

To convert ppm to percent, divide the ppm value by 10,000. For example, if the ppm value is 500, the percent value would be 500/10,000 = 0.05%.

3. What is the purpose of converting units to ppm?

Converting units to ppm allows for easier comparison of concentrations, as ppm is a more universally used unit of measurement. It also allows for smaller concentrations to be expressed in a more manageable form.

4. How do you convert ppm to mg/L?

To convert ppm to mg/L, multiply the ppm value by the molecular weight of the substance. This will give you the mass of the substance in milligrams per liter of solution.

5. Can ppm be negative?

No, ppm cannot be negative as it is a measure of concentration and should always be a positive value.

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