Question

There are approximately 2 × 1022 molecules and atoms in each breath we take and the concentration of CO in the air is approximately 9 ppm. How many CO molecules are in each breath we take? solution

Answer 1

Answer:

1.8x10¹⁷ molecules of CO are in each breath we take

Explanation:

Parts per million, ppm, is an unit of concentration in chemistry used for very diluted solutions.

A 9ppm of X in a solution means in 1 million of molecules (1x10⁶) you have only 9 molecules of X.

In a breath we have 2x10²² molecules and 9 ppm are CO. Thus, CO molecules in each breath are:

2x10²² molecules × (9 molecules CO / 1x10⁶ molecules) =

1.8x10¹⁷ molecules of CO are in each breath we take