(a) Estimate the positive charge in you due to the protons in the molecules present in your body. (Assume that the human body is made entirely out of water.)
(b) What is the net charge in your body?
To estimate the positive charge in your body due to protons, we need to consider the number of protons in the water molecules present in your body.
(a) To estimate the positive charge in your body due to protons in water molecules:
1. Determine the number of water molecules in your body:
- On average, the human body is around 60% water by weight.
- Assume your body weight is 70 kg, then the water content is 70 kg * 0.60 = 42 kg.
- The molar mass of water (H2O) is approximately 18 g/mol.
- Convert the water mass to moles: 42 kg / (18 g/mol) = 2333.33 moles of water.
- The number of molecules in 2333.33 moles of water is avogadro's number (6.022 x 10^23) times the number of moles: 2333.33 moles * (6.022 x 10^23 molecules/mol) = 1.4 x 10^27 molecules.
2. Determine the number of protons in a water molecule:
- Each water molecule (H2O) contains two hydrogen atoms, which have one proton each.
- So, the number of protons in one water molecule is 2.
3. Calculate the total number of protons in your body:
- Multiply the number of water molecules by the number of protons in each molecule: 1.4 x 10^27 molecules * 2 protons/molecule = 2.8 x 10^27 protons.
(b) To determine the net charge in your body:
The net charge of an object is the sum of all positive and negative charges in the object. Since water molecules are electrically neutral (having equal numbers of protons and electrons), the net charge contribution due to water molecules is zero.
However, the human body also contains other ions and charged molecules, such as sodium ions (Na+), potassium ions (K+), and other ions from dissolved salts. These ions can have a positive or negative charge.
To determine the net charge in your body, precise measurements of the concentrations and charges of these ions and molecules would be required. Without this information, a specific value for the net charge cannot be accurately determined.