Question

There are about 11,200,000 billion metric tons of O2 in the atmosphere. Based on an estimated photosynthesis rate of 600 billion metric tons per year, how many years might it have taken to reach current O2 levels? (Note: Assume for this exercise that the rate of O2 production is constant even though it has changed over time.)
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Answer 1

Answer:

$t=18666.7years$

Explanation:

Hello,

In this case, since the rate at which oxygen is produced via photosynthesis is:

$600 \frac{billion\ metric\ tons}{year}$

Since the desired amount is 11,200,000 billion metric tons, the required time is:

$t=\frac{11,200,000billion\ metric\ tons}{600 \frac{billion\ metric\ tons}{year}} \\\\t=18666.7years$

Best regards.