Final answer:
Tommy's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) cannot be precisely calculated without additional details, but he may be at or above the legal intoxication limit of 0.08% after consuming 3 drinks in one hour, considering a general rate of alcohol metabolism. Other individual factors would affect this estimation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question revolves around calculating the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for Tommy, who has consumed 3 alcoholic drinks in one hour and weighs 140 pounds. While the exact BAC can vary based on numerous physiological factors, we can provide an estimation by taking into account the general rate of alcohol metabolism, which is approximately 3.3 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) per hour. Factors such as Tommy's sex and age, as well as the type and size of the drinks consumed, would also influence his BAC. Without more detailed information, such as the definition of what constitutes 'a drink' and any individual metabolic variations, it is not possible to accurately calculate Tommy's BAC. Generally, it would be unsafe for him to drive, as the legal limit for intoxication is typically 0.08% BAC, and he may be at or above this threshold after consuming 3 drinks in an hour.
When alcohol is consumed, it is broken down in the body at a rate of about 3.3 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) per hour. To calculate BAC, we need to consider the number of drinks consumed, the rate at which the body metabolizes alcohol, and the person's weight. In this case, Tommy has consumed 3 drinks in the past hour and weighs 140 pounds. However, we need additional information such as the alcohol content of the drinks and the length of time over which they were consumed to accurately determine Tommy's BAC.