Question

An average human infant’s blood serum contains 5-10 milliequivalents (mEq) of potassium per liter. Calculate this concentration range in both normality and ppm.

Answer 1

Concentration in:

Normality

Normality = mEq/Liter

inferior range

5/1L = 5 mN or 5*10^-3 N

superior range

10/1L = 10 mN or 10*10^-3 N

Then

5*10^-3 N < Normality of K < 10*10^-3 N

Now, for ppm

5 mEq of K per liter implies

5 mmol of K per liter

ppm = mg of K / Liter solution

mg of K = mmol*MW = 5*39.0983 = 195.4915 mg

ppm inferior = 195.4915 / 1 L = 195.4915 ppm

ppm = mg of K / Liter solution

mg of K = mmol*MW = 10*39.0983 = 390.983 mg

ppm superior = 390.983 / 1 L = 390.983ppm

195.4915 ppm < ppm of K < 390.983 ppm