[clockworks204]

I'm trying to even figure out where to start this one... my textbook is worthless for this chapter.  Here is the problem:

One estimate of the lower limit of the proton lifetime is 2.5x10³² years.  Some of the experiments to search for the proton decay use a large mass of water.  How many water molecules contain 2.5x10³² protons?  What mass of water is this, and what volume does it occupy?

Thanks in advance!

[sjb]

How many protons are there in a water molecule?

[clockworks204]

10 protons in water so 2.5x10³²/10= 2.5x10³¹ molecules.
So the mass of water is 18g so I multiply it by 2.5x10³¹ molecules to get 4.5x10³²g or 4.5x10²⁹ kg which is incorrect.

[Jorriss]

Grams <--> moles <--> molecules

You went from molecules to grams, which you can't do. You need to go from molecules, to moles, then to grams.

[clockworks204]

Wow all too easy.. I should have known how to do it!  Thanks for breaking it down for me!

[ardbeg]

also, unless you are writing in binary, there are not 10 protons in a water molecule 

[Jorriss]

also, unless you are writing in binary, there are not 10 protons in a water molecule 

There are =x

Remember, oxygen has 8 protons.

[ardbeg]

ach, technically yes there are    need sleep