If you mix 8.25 lbs of soda ash into 45 gallons of water, what percentage of soda ash is in the slurry?

To determine the percentage of soda ash in the slurry, you need to first understand how to calculate concentration as a percentage by weight. The percentage concentration can be calculated using the formula:

[

\text{Percentage} = \left( \frac{\text{weight of solute}}{\text{weight of solution}} \right) \times 100

]

In this case, the solute is soda ash, and the solution is the mixture of soda ash and water.

1. Calculate the weight of the water: Since 1 gallon of water weighs approximately 8.34 lbs, you can find the total weight of the water in 45 gallons:

[

\text{Weight of water} = 45 , \text{gallons} \times 8.34 , \text{lbs/gallon} = 375.3 , \text{lbs}

]

2. Determine the total weight of the solution: This will include both the weight of the soda ash and the weight of the water:

[

\text{Total weight of solution} = \text{weight of soda ash} + \text{weight of water} =