Question

Mercury (Hg) is present in trace amounts in coal, ranging from 50.0 to 200.0 ppb. A typical power plant burns 1.49 million tons of coal per year. Calculate tons of mercury in the coal based on the lower (50.0 ppb) and higher (200.0 ppb) concentrations.

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

To calculate this, simply use an equality of proportions:

50 particles  :  1 billion particles = x tons  :  1.49 million tons

The value of x can be solved for by multiplying the ratio on the left by the value 1.49 million / 1 billion:

So, x = (50)(0.00149) tons = 0.0745 tons

Then, do the same thing for the larger concentration:

x = (200)(0.00149) tons = 0.298 tons