The air quality index (AQI) for Everett was recently recorded as 162 micrograms/m3 for particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). That’s pretty unhealthy. Choose a space you occupy regularly (room, car, etc.) and measure the length, width, and height of the space. If that’s a challenge, just use 10.0 ft by 10.0 ft by 12.0 ft as your dimensions. If the air in your space had the same AQI as for Everett, how many grams of particulate matter are present?
To calculate the volume of the space, we can multiply the length, width, and height. Let's assume the dimensions of the space are 10.0 ft by 10.0 ft by 12.0 ft.
Volume = length × width × height
Volume = 10.0 ft × 10.0 ft × 12.0 ft
Volume = 1,200 cubic feet
Next, we need to convert the volume to cubic meters, as the AQI value is given in micrograms per cubic meter.
Since 1 cubic meter is equal to 35.3147 cubic feet, we can use this conversion factor:
Volume (m^3) = Volume (ft^3) / 35.3147
Volume (m^3) = 1,200 ft^3 / 35.3147
Volume (m^3) = 33.98 m^3 (rounded to two decimal places)
Now, we can calculate the grams of particulate matter present in the space using the AQI value:
Mass (grams) = AQI (micrograms/m^3) × Volume (m^3)
Mass (grams) = 162 micrograms/m^3 × 33.98 m^3
Mass (grams) = 5,495.27 grams (rounded to two decimal places)
Therefore, if the air in your space had the same AQI as in Everett, there would be approximately 5,495.27 grams of particulate matter present.