In order to help prevent tooth decay, fluoride ions at a level of 0.9 mg L<sup>-1</sup> of F<sup>-</sup> are added to Melbourne’s public water supplies - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 4
In order to help prevent tooth decay, fluoride ions at a level of 0.9 mg L<sup>-1</sup> of F<sup>-</sup> are added to Melbourne’s public water supplies. The fluoride... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In order to help prevent tooth decay, fluoride ions at a level of 0.9 mg L<sup>-1</sup> of F<sup>-</sup> are added to Melbourne’s public water supplies - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
i. Calculate the mass of sodium fluoride in mg that must be present in one litre of water to produce a concentration of fluoride ions of 0.90 mg L<sup>-1</sup>.
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Answer
To find the mass of sodium fluoride (NaF) needed for a 0.90 mg L<sup>-1</sup> concentration of fluoride ions (F<sup>-</sup>), we use the molar mass of NaF.
Determine the molar mass of NaF:
Molar mass of Na = 22.99 g/mol
Molar mass of F = 19.00 g/mol
Molar mass of NaF = 22.99 + 19.00 = 41.99 g/mol
Calculate the mass of NaF needed for 0.90 mg of F<sup>-</sup>:
The fluoride ion (F<sup>-</sup>) is produced from NaF in a 1:1 ratio.
Thus, 0.90 mg of F<sup>-</sup> corresponds to 0.90 mg of NaF.
Since there are 1000 mg in 1 g, the mass in grams is 0.90 mg = 0.00090 g.
Convert this to mg:
Therefore, the mass of sodium fluoride required is 0.90 mg.
Step 2
ii. What mass of sodium fluoride, in kilogram, must be added to a 750 ML reservoir (1 ML = 10<sup>6</sup> L) to produce a concentration of fluoride ions of 0.90 mg L<sup>-1</sup>?
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Answer
Calculate the total volume in liters:
750 ML = 750 × 10<sup>-3</sup> L = 0.750 L.
Determine total mass of fluoride ions required:
Concentration required = 0.90 mg L<sup>-1</sup>
Total mass of F<sup>-</sup>:
Mass = Concentration × Volume = 0.90 mg/L × 0.750 L = 0.675 mg
Calculate the mass of NaF needed:
NaF to F<sup>-</sup> ratio = 1:1.
Thus, 0.675 mg of NaF is required, which is equivalent to 0.000675 g = 0.000000675 kg.
Step 3
iii. Calculate the number of fluoride ions swallowed by a person who drank one litre of water from the reservoir.
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Answer
Determine the amount of fluoride ions in 1 L of water:
From previous calculation, 1 L contains 0.90 mg of F<sup>-</sup>.
Convert mg to grams:
0.90 mg = 0.00090 g.
Determine the number of moles of fluoride ions:
Molar mass of F = 19.00 g/mol.
Moles of F = mass/molar mass = 0.00090 g / 19.00 g/mol = 4.736 × 10<sup>-5</sup> mol.
Calculate the number of fluoride ions:
Using Avogadro's number (6.022 × 10<sup>23</sup> ions/mol):
Number of ions = moles × Avogadro's number = 4.736 × 10<sup>-5</sup> mol × 6.022 × 10<sup>23</sup> ions/mol ≈ 2.85 × 10<sup>19</sup> ions.