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? asked in Science & MathematicsChemistry · 7 years ago

How to solve this chemistry problem?

It has been found that fat makes up 14% of a 170 lb persons body weight. One pound of body fat provides 4500 kcal of energy when it is metabolized. The person requires 2000 kcal of energy per day to survive. Assume all the energy needed for survival comes from the metabolism of body fat, and calculate the number of DAYS the person could survive without eating before depleting the entire body fat reserve.

Answer is 54 days.

I want steps and explanation,please.

1 Answer

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  • 7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I am a chemist for 6 years till now:

    The solution is:

    The person weight is 170 lb which fat make 14% of this weight. By multiply 170 lb by 14% we get that 14% represents 23.8 lb, i.e the person's body contains 23.8 lb fats.

    From the problem's data: 1 lb provide 4500 kcal, and we have 23.8 lb, multiply 4500 kcal/1 lb by 23.8 lb, we can get the all the energy given when the whole body fat content "23.8 lb" burned and converted into energy which equal (=107100 kcal).

    From the given data in this problem: the body consume 2000 kcal in the whole day, and we have a storage of 107100 kcal, divide the whole energy available on the energy quantity need per day, (107100 kcal÷ 2000 kcal/1 day=53 day).

    by take in account the solution of this problem, we can say that if the person's body have the body fats as the only energy source, the fats will deplete completely within 53 days.

    For more explanation, you can visit my page, good luck..

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