What is the concentration in parts per million of DDT in each of the following?
Part 1 of 2
1.0 mg in 1.7 kg needlefish tissue. Be sure your answer has the correct number of significant figures.
Note: Reference the SI prefixes table for additional information.
ppm DDT
scientific notation
First, convert the mass of DDT to grams:
1.0 mg = 0.001 g
Next, calculate the concentration of DDT in the needlefish tissue:
Concentration = (mass of DDT / mass of needlefish tissue) x 1,000,000
Concentration = (0.001 g / 1.7 kg) x 1,000,000
Concentration = (0.001 g / 1700 g) x 1,000,000
Concentration = 0.0005882353 x 1,000,000
Concentration = 588.2353 ppm
Therefore, the concentration of DDT in the needlefish tissue is 588.2353 ppm or 5.882353 x 10^2 ppm.