Chapter EH, Problem 48R

Solution

Interpretation : The amount of sulfur used by the country U in 2004 is to be calculated.

Concept Introduction : One of the most significant industrial raw materials in the world is sulfuric acid. More sulfuric acid than any other industrial chemical is produced in the country U.

The amount of sulfur used in 2004 by the country U is $42.22\times {10}^{12}\text{kg}$ .

Given information:

90% sulfur is used to make sulfuric acid.

38 million metric tons of sulfuric acid is produced.

Explanation:

First, convert the sulfuric acid to kilograms and then calculate the amount of sulfur.

The amount of sulfuric acid produced in 2004 is given as:

  $\begin{array}{c}\text{m}\left(H_{2}S{O}_4\right)=38\text{million}\text{metric ton}\\ \text{=}\text{38}\times {\text{10}}^9\text{metric}\text{ton}\\ =38\times {10}^{12}\text{kg}\end{array}$

The amount of sulfur produced in 2004 is given as:

  $\begin{array}{c}\text{m}\left(S\right)=\frac{38\times {10}^{12}\text{kg}}{90}\times 100\%\\ =42.22\times {10}^{12}\text{kg}\end{array}$