Question

in 1993 the minnesota department of health set a health risk limit for ethyl ether in groundwater of 1.00 mg/l.
suppose an analytical chemist receives a sample of groundwater with a measured volume of 87.0 ml. calculate the maximum mass in micrograms of ethyl
ether which the chemist could measure in this sample and still certify that the groundwater from which it came met minnesota department of health standards.
be sure your answer has the correct number of significant digits.

Explanation:

Step1: Convert volume to liters

Given volume \( V = 87.0\space mL\). Since \(1\space L=1000\space mL\), then \(V=\frac{87.0}{1000}\space L = 0.0870\space L\).

Step2: Calculate mass in milligrams

The concentration \(C = 1.00\space mg/L\). Using the formula \(m = C\times V\), we have \(m=(1.00\space mg/L)\times(0.0870\space L)= 0.0870\space mg\).

Step3: Convert milligrams to micrograms

Since \(1\space mg = 1000\space\mu g\), then \(m=(0.0870\space mg)\times(1000\space\mu g/mg)=87.0\space\mu g\).

Answer:

\(87.0\space\mu g\)