Physics quiz question: maximum fuel dispensing rate

Physics 205A Quiz 1, fall semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Cf. Giambattista/Richardson/Richardson, Physics, 2/e, Problem 1.25

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits fuel dispensers[*] to a maximum rate of 10 gallons per minute. One gallon is equivalent to 3.78541178 liters. The maximum fuel dispensing rate in milliliters per second is:
(A) 0.16 mL/s.
(B) 6.3×10² mL/s.
(C) 2.3×10⁴ mL/s.
(D) 2.3×10⁶ mL/s.

[*] epa.gov/oms/regs/ld-hwy/evap/spitback.txt.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)

Converting 10 gal/min to mL/s:

10 gal/min × ((3.78541178 L)/(1 gal)) × ((1,000 mL)/(1 L)) × ((1 min)/(60 s)) = 630.90196333 mL/s,

or to two significant figures, 6.3×10² mL/s.

Sections 70854, 70855, 73320
Exam code: quiz01cH3E
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 64 students
(C) : 10 students
(D) : 2 students

Success level: 84%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.50