Question

Nail polish remover containing acetone was spilled in a room 7.2 m × 5.8 m × 3.9 m. Measurements indicated that 6,400 mg of acetone evaporated. Calculate the acetone concentration in micrograms per cubic meter.

Answer 1

Volume of room  = $7.2 m \times 5.8 m \times 3.9 m$

= $162.864 m^{3}$

Now, according to conversion factor, convert 6,400 mg to micrograms

Since, 1 mg is equal to 1000 microgram.

Therefore, 6,400 mg  = $6,400 \times 1000$

= 6,400,000 micrograms of acetone.

To calculate concentration of acetone, divide volume and evaporated amount of acetone in micrograms.

Thus,

Concentration of acetone  = $\frac{6,400,000 microgram}{162.864 m^{3}}$

= 39296.5910 microgram per cubic meter or $3.92\times 10^{4} \mu g/m^{3}\simeq 4.0\times 10^{4} \mu g/m^{3}$

Hence, concentration of acetone is equal to $4.0\times 10^{4} \mu g/m^{3}$