Math and Conversions

Question

A water holding tank measures 105m long, 60m wide and 10m deep. Traces of mercury have been found in the tank, with a concentration of 55mg/L. What is the total mass of mercury in the tank? Answer in units of kg.

Answer 1

Assuming the tank is full, calculate the volume:

V= (105)(60)(10) = 6300 cubic meters

Since, 1 cubic meter of water is 1,000 liters, the volume of water in the tank is,

V = 6,300,000 liters.

In order to calculate the amount of mercury, multiply the volume by 55mg/L:

= (6300000)(55)

=346,500,000 mg or 346,500 g

=346.5 kg of mercury

Answer 2

The volume of the tank:

105 m x 60 m x 10 m

6300 m³

 

1 L = 0.001 m³

 

x L / 6300 m³ = 1 L / 0.001m³   multiply both sides by 6300 m³

x L = 6300 L / 0.002

x L = 6,300,000

 

The mercury content

6300000 L · 55 mg/L

346500000 mg