How many cans of soda would be lethal?

Question

If the caffeine concentration in a particular brand of soda is 3.13 mg/oz, drinking how many cans of soda would be lethal? Assume that 10.0 g of caffeine is a lethal dose, and there are 12 oz in a can.

Answer 1

Hi Jennifer G.,

For me, it makes things easier to write down what I'm given. Then phrase the problem as a question, with the solution equal to what is being asked (how many cans of soda equals a lethal dose [10.0 g C.]?). Then be sure all your dimensions cancel except for the answer.

Were given 3.13 mg C. = 1 oz; 12 oz = 1 can; 10.0 g C. = lethal dose:

We also know 1g = 1000mg:

We want to know:

How many cans of soda = 10.0 g C.*[1000 mg/1 g]*[1 oz/3.13 mg]*[1 can/12 oz] = 266.2 cans

For multiplication the number of sig figs in the final calculated value will be the same as that of the quantity with the fewest number of sig figs used in the calculation.

10.0 g C is 3 sig figs, 3.13 mg C. is 3 sig figs, 12 oz can is 2 sig figs. You can round up to 270 for correct sig figs.

Have fun! I hope this helps, Joe.