Question

In 2004 about 87.0 billion pounds of sulfuric acid were produced in the United States. Convert this quantity to tons.

Short answer

Therefore, the quantity of sulfuric acid produced is \(43.5 \times 10^{6}\) or 43.5 million tons.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the conversion factor

Firstly, check the equivalence between the two units. Infer that 1 ton is equivalent to 2,000 pounds in the United States.

Convert billion pounds to pounds

The prefix 'billion' indicates multiplication by 1,000,000,000. Hence, 87.0 billion pounds is equal to \(87.0 \times 10^{9}\) pounds.

Convert the quantity from pounds to tons

Utilize the conversion factor identified in step 1. Divide the total quantity of sulfuric acid in pounds (from Step 2) by 2000 to get the quantity in tons. \[(87.0 \times 10^{9})/2000\]

Key concepts

Unit Conversion Chemistry

Mastering unit conversions in chemistry is fundamental for accurately reporting and interpreting data. The exercise prompts students to convert a large mass quantity of sulfuric acid from pounds to tons. This is a practical application of unit conversion that demonstrates how chemicals are measured and moved in industry on a large scale.

For example, the exercise states that 87.0 billion pounds of sulfuric acid were produced, which requires converting 'billion' to an actual numerical value for precise calculations. It's essential to remember that in unit conversion, you always multiply by the equivalent amount in another unit, thus maintaining the mass's value while changing its expression. As we often encounter varying units of measurement in chemistry, the ability to seamlessly convert between these units, such as between pounds and tons or liters and milliliters, underpins successful chemical analysis and comprehension.

Sulfuric Acid Production

Sulfuric acid is one of the most produced industrial chemicals due to its wide range of applications, including fertilizer manufacturing, mineral processing, petroleum refining, and chemical synthesis. Understanding the scale of sulfuric acid production can provide insight into its economic and environmental impact.

The production process typically involves the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to form sulfur trioxide, which is then absorbed in water to yield sulfuric acid. This process is highly exothermic, releasing substantial energy and requiring careful control to avoid hazards. The vast quantities in the exercise, 87.0 billion pounds, indicate the chemical's significance and demand. With this context, students can appreciate why comprehending the magnitude of chemical production is important in industrial chemistry and its implications for safety and logistics.

Conversion Factor

A conversion factor is a numerical tool that allows us to convert a quantity from one unit to another. In the context of the exercise, the conversion factor bridges the gap between pounds and tons. Knowledge of appropriate conversion factors is pivotal in chemistry, as it facilitates inter-unit communication and enables scientists and engineers to work with various measurement systems.

It is calculated based on the equivalence of the two units, for instance, 1 ton equals 2,000 pounds. This exercise utilizes a straightforward conversion factor, dividing the quantity of sulfuric acid in pounds by 2,000 to determine the weight in tons. The use of conversion factors is not limited to mass but is also applied across parameters such as volume, length, temperature, and concentration, making them a versatile and indispensable tool in scientific calculations.