Human fat has a density of 0.918 g/cm³. How much volume (in cm³) is gained by a person who gains 10.0 lb of pure fat? the reliability of a Measurement and Significant Figures

Verified step by step guidance

1. Convert the mass from pounds to grams using the conversion factor: 1 lb = 453.592 g.
2. Calculate the total mass in grams by multiplying the mass in pounds by the conversion factor.
3. Use the formula for density: \( \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} \) to solve for volume: \( \text{Volume} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Density}} \).
4. Substitute the mass in grams and the density of fat (0.918 g/cm³) into the formula to find the volume in cm³.
5. Ensure the final answer is reported with the correct number of significant figures based on the given data.

Key Concepts

Density

Density is defined as mass per unit volume, typically expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). It indicates how much mass is contained in a given volume of a substance. In this context, the density of human fat (0.918 g/cm³) is crucial for calculating the volume gained when a specific mass of fat is added.

Mass to Volume Conversion

To find the volume from mass, the formula used is Volume = Mass / Density. This relationship allows us to convert the mass of fat gained (in pounds) into volume (in cm³) using the known density of fat. It is essential to ensure that the mass is converted to grams to match the density units.

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. When performing calculations, especially in chemistry, it is important to maintain the correct number of significant figures based on the precision of the measurements involved. This ensures that the final answer reflects the reliability of the data used in the calculations.