Use metric conversion factors to solve each of the following problems:
c. A package of chocolate instant pudding contains 2840 mg of sodium. How many grams of sodium are in the pudding?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem. You are tasked with converting the mass of sodium from milligrams (mg) to grams (g). Recall that the metric conversion factor between milligrams and grams is 1 g = 1000 mg.
2. Step 2: Write the given value from the problem. The mass of sodium is 2840 mg.
3. Step 3: Set up the conversion using the metric conversion factor. Multiply the given value (2840 mg) by the conversion factor (1 g / 1000 mg). This ensures that the milligrams unit cancels out, leaving grams as the unit.
4. Step 4: Express the setup mathematically: \( 2840 \, \text{mg} \times \frac{1 \; \text{g}}{1000 \; \text{mg}} \).
5. Step 5: Perform the division to calculate the result. The final value will be in grams, but do not calculate it here as the focus is on the process.

Key Concepts

Metric Conversion

Metric conversion involves changing a measurement from one unit to another within the metric system. In this case, converting milligrams (mg) to grams (g) is necessary, where 1 gram equals 1000 milligrams. Understanding this conversion is essential for accurately determining the amount of sodium in grams.

Units of Measurement

Units of measurement are standardized quantities used to express physical quantities. In this problem, sodium content is measured in milligrams and grams, which are both units of mass. Recognizing the relationship between these units is crucial for performing the conversion correctly.

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert one unit of measurement to another by multiplying by conversion factors. This method ensures that units cancel appropriately, leading to the desired unit. Applying dimensional analysis in this problem will help in converting the sodium content from milligrams to grams accurately.