Question

Benzene is a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compound. A benzene-contaminated water sample contains 5.9×10−5 % benzene by mass. Part A What volume of the water in liters contains 235 mg of benzene? (Assume that the density of the solution is 1.0 g/mL.)

Answer 1

398.3 L

Step-by-step explanation:

Percent composition is percentage by the mass of element present in the compound.

Given that the benzene is
`5.9* 10^(-5)` % by mass.

It means that
`5.9* 10^(-5)\ g` of benzene is present in 100 g of the total sample

Also, Given that : Mass of benzene = 235 mg = 0.235 g ( 1 mg = 0.001 g)

Mass % =
`(Mass_(Benzene))/(Mass\ of\ the\ sample)* 100`

Thus,

Mass of the sample =
`(0.235* 100)/(5.9* 10^(-5))` = 398305.08474 g

Mass of benzene = 0.235 g

Thus, Mass of water = 398304.85 g

Density = 1 g/mL

So, Volume = 398304.85 mL = 398.3 L ( 1 mL = 0.001 L)