While investigating greenhouse gases, I measured 0.1875 grams of carbon dioxide in a 500-gram sample of the atmosphere. What is the concentration of CO₂ in the atmospheric sample?

[CO₂] = 375 ppm

Explanation:

We can determine the concentration in value of ppm

ppm = mass of solute (mg) / mass of solution (kg)

Solution: atmosphere

Solute: CO₂

We convert the mass of CO₂ from g to mg → 0.1875 g. 1000 mg / 1g = 187.5 mg

We convert the mass of the atmosphere from g to kg: 500 g. 1 kg/1000g = 0.500 kg

ppm = 187.5 mg / 0.500kg = 375