Question

High exposure to mercury is indicated by a blood level above 10 mg/L. How many mercury atoms are in a liter of blood that contains 10 mg mercury?

Answer 1

3.0x10¹⁹ atoms

Step-by-step explanation:

First we convert 10 mg of mercury into grams:

• 10 mg / 1000 = 0.01 g

Then we convert 0.01 g of mercury into moles, using its molar mass:

• 0.01 g ÷ 200.59 g/mol = 4.99x10⁻⁵ mol

Then we convert moles into number of atoms, using Avogadro's number:

• 4.99x10⁻⁵ mol * 6.023x10²³ atoms/mol = 3.0x10¹⁹ atoms