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Widmark BAC Equation:
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The Widmark equation is a mathematical formula used to estimate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) based on the amount of alcohol consumed, body weight, and gender. It was developed by Swedish professor Erik M. P. Widmark in the 1930s.
The calculator uses the Widmark equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation estimates the distribution of alcohol in body water, with different distribution factors for males and females due to differences in body composition.
Details: BAC estimation is crucial for understanding alcohol impairment levels, legal limits for driving, and making informed decisions about alcohol consumption and safety.
Tips: Enter total alcohol consumed in grams, body weight in kilograms, and select gender. All values must be valid (alcohol > 0, weight > 0).
Q1: What is the legal BAC limit for driving?
A: Legal limits vary by country, but commonly range from 0.05 to 0.08 g/dL. Some regions have zero tolerance policies.
Q2: How accurate is the Widmark equation?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate but doesn't account for individual variations in metabolism, food intake, or drinking duration.
Q3: Why different r values for males and females?
A: Females typically have higher body fat percentage and lower body water content, leading to higher BAC for the same alcohol intake.
Q4: How to convert drinks to grams of alcohol?
A: Standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol (e.g., 12 oz beer at 5% ABV, 5 oz wine at 12% ABV, 1.5 oz spirits at 40% ABV).
Q5: What factors affect BAC besides weight and gender?
A: Metabolism rate, food consumption, medication, tolerance, drinking speed, and overall health can significantly impact BAC.