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Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement
Chapter 1, Problem 97

In the United States, the emissions limit for carbon monoxide in motorcycle engine exhaust is 12.0 g of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. What is this limit expressed in mg per mile with the correct number of significant figures?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one set of units to another. In this question, we need to convert grams of carbon monoxide per kilometer to milligrams per mile. This involves using conversion factors, such as knowing that 1 gram equals 1000 milligrams and that 1 kilometer equals approximately 0.621371 miles.
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Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. When performing calculations, especially conversions, it is essential to maintain the correct number of significant figures based on the precision of the given data. In this case, the emissions limit of 12.0 g/km has three significant figures, which will guide how we express the final answer.
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Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert one set of units to another by multiplying by conversion factors. It ensures that units cancel appropriately, leading to the desired unit in the final answer. This method is particularly useful in chemistry for ensuring that calculations involving different units are accurate and consistent.
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