In a biochemistry laboratory experiment, a microfluidic device is calibrated to pump an en… — ACT

In a biochemistry laboratory experiment, a microfluidic device is calibrated to pump an enzyme solution into a reaction chamber at a constant rate of $4.8 \times 10^{-5}$ liters per minute ( $\text{L/min}$ ). What is this pump rate in microliters per second ( $\mu\text{L/s}$ )?

Answer: 0.8 μL/s

Answer

The correct pump rate is 0.8 microliters per second.

To convert

4.8 \times 10^{-5}\text{ L/min}

\mu\text{L/s}

, first convert liters to microliters by multiplying by

10^6\ \mu\text{L/L}

, which gives

48\ \mu\text{L/min}

. Next, convert minutes to seconds by dividing by

60\text{ s/min}

to get

0.8\ \mu\text{L/s}

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert the volume flow rate from liters per minute to microliters per minute.

48 \mu\text{L/min}

Since

1\text{ L} = 10^6\ \mu\text{L}

, multiplying

4.8 \times 10^{-5}\text{ L/min}

10^6\ \mu\text{L/L}

yields

48\ \mu\text{L/min}

Convert the flow rate from microliters per minute to microliters per second.

0.8 \mu\text{L/s}

Since

1\text{ minute} = 60\text{ seconds}

, dividing

48\ \mu\text{L/min}

60\text{ s/min}

yields

0.8\ \mu\text{L/s}

Key Concept

Scientific Notation and Unit Conversions

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