Problem 1-32: The approximate number of atoms in a bacterium

Advertisements
Advertisements

PROBLEM:

Calculate the approximate number of atoms in a bacterium. Assume that the average mass of an atom in the bacterium is ten times the mass of a hydrogen atom. (Hint: The mass of a hydrogen atom is on the order of 10-27 kg; and the mass of a bacterium is on the order of 10-15 kg)


Advertisements
Advertisements

SOLUTION:

The number of atoms is

no. of atoms=mbact10mH=101510(1027)=1011atoms  (Answer)\begin{align*} \text{no. of atoms} & =\frac{m_{bact}}{10\:m_H} \\ \\ & = \frac{10^{-15}}{10\left(10^{-27}\right)}\\\\ &=10^{11}\:\text{atoms} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right) \end{align*}

Advertisements
Advertisements