Question

There are 2.60 x 1015 short tons of oxygen in the atmosphere ( 1 short ton = 2000 lb). How many metric tons of oxygen are oresent (1 metric ton =1000 kg) ?

Answer 1

Answer: $2.36\times 10^{15}$ metric tons of oxygen is present.

Explanation:

We are given:

Mass of oxygen in atmosphere = $2.60\times 10^{15}\text{ short tons}$

To convert it into metric tons, we use the conversion factors:

$1\text{ short ton}=2000lb$

And,

$1\text{ metric ton}=2204.62lb$

Converting short tons into pounds, we get:

$\Rightarrow 2.60\times 10^{15}\text{ short tons}\times (\frac{2000lb}{\text{1 short ton}})=5.2\times 10^{18}lb$

Now, converting the given mass in pounds to metric tons, we get:

$\Rightarrow 5.2\times 10^{18}lb\times (\frac{\text{1 metric ton}}{2204.62lb})=2.36\times 10^{15}\text{metric ton}$

Hence, $2.36\times 10^{15}$ metric tons of oxygen is present.