Chapter 1.3, Problem 1.6BFP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The mass of mercury in grams contained in each $\text{mL}$ of lake water is to be calculated. Also, a road map for the solution is to be drawn.

Concept introduction:

Meter square $\left({\text{m}}^{\text{2}}\right)$ is the SI unit of the area. The English equivalent of the area is miles square $\left({\text{mi}}^{\text{2}}\right)$. The conversion factor to convert the area from ${\text{mi}}^{\text{2}}$ to ${\text{ft}}^2$ is,

${\left(0.3048\right)}^2{\text{ m}}^2=1{\text{ ft}}^2$

Mass is a physical quantity and its SI unit is kilograms $\left(\text{kg}\right)$. It is the measure of the quantity of the matter present in an object. The other units of mass are grams, milligrams.

The conversion of one unit into another can be done using a proper conversion factor. Conversion factors are the ratios that relate the two different units of a quantity. It is also known as dimensional analysis or factor label method.

In the unit conversion problems, the given information is multiplied by the conversion factors to obtain the desired information. The unit conversion can be done as follows:

$\left(\cancel{\text{beginning unit}}\right)\left(\frac{\text{Final unit}}{\cancel{\text{beginning unit}}}\right)=\text{Final unit}$