High School

A 10-gram packet of potassium chloride provides 20 mEq of potassium. How many grams of powder would provide 9 mEq of potassium?

Answer :

Final answer:

To find out how many grams of potassium chloride are needed to provide 9 mEq of potassium, a proportion is used based on the fact that 10 grams provide 20 mEq, which results in 4.5 grams of KCl needed.

Explanation:

To calculate the grams of potassium chloride (KCl) needed to provide 9 mEq of potassium, we use a proportion based on the given information that a 10 gram packet provides 20 mEq of potassium. We set up the following equation:

10 g KCl / 20 mEq = x g KCl / 9 mEq

Solving for x gives us:

x = (10 g KCl × 9 mEq) / 20 mEq

x = 90 g·mEq / 20 mEq

x = 4.5 g KCl

Therefore, 4.5 grams of potassium chloride would provide 9 mEq of potassium.