If a water analysis shows 22.3 grains per gallon of sodium bicarbonate as calcium carbonate, what is the equivalent amount in grains per gallon expressed as sodium bicarbonate?

To convert the amount of sodium bicarbonate expressed as calcium carbonate to its equivalent amount as sodium bicarbonate, it is essential to understand their respective molecular weights.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has a molecular weight of approximately 100 grams per mole. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), on the other hand, has a molecular weight of about 84 grams per mole. When performing the conversion, you need to calculate the equivalent weight of sodium bicarbonate for a given weight of calcium carbonate.

The relationship can be established using stoichiometry:

1. Identify the ratio of the weights:

• For every 100 grams of CaCO3, it corresponds to 84 grams of NaHCO3.

2. If you have 22.3 grains of CaCO3, you can find how many grains of NaHCO3 are equivalent using the following conversion factor:

[

\text{Grains of NaHCO3} = \frac{84 \text{ grams NaHCO3}}{100 \text{ grams CaCO3}} \times 22.3 \text{ grains CaCO3}

]

• Since there are approximately 15.432 grains in a gram, first