The total number of moles of gas in the atmosphere is 1.8 x 1020. As you\'ve lea

Question

The total number of moles of gas in the atmosphere is 1.8 x 1020. As you've learned, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is now ~400 parts per million. This means 400 out of every million molecules of gas in the atmosphere are CO2. Based on this information, calculate the total number of moles of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Carbon's mass is 12 g per mol. Based on your previous answer, calculate the total mass of carbon (in carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere.

We usually express pool and fluxes of carbon in gigatons (or gigatonnes). This represents 1 billion metric tonnes, and a metric tonne is 1000 kg. (Note that this is ~2200 lbs and so is close to the 'ton' we use in the US, which is 2000 lbs.) Convert the total mass of carbon in carbon dioxide (in the atmosphere) to gigatons.

Explanation / Answer

Out of 106 moles of gas in the atmosphere, 400 moles are of CO2

therefore out of 1.8 x 1020 moles, number of moles of CO2 = 400 x 1.8 x 1020/ 106 =7.20 x 1016 moles.

1 mole of CO2 has 12 g of carbon

therefore 7.20 x 1016 moles of CO2 will consist of 12 x 7.20 x 1016 = 8.64 x 1017 g = 8.64 x 1014 kg.

Now 1 kg = 10-12 giga ton

hence 8.64 x 1014 kg. = 8.64 x 1014 x 10-12 gigaton = 864 gigatons

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