Question

Before the industrial revolution in 1800 the concentration of carbon in Earth’s atmo- sphere was 280 ppm. The concentration in 2015 was 399 ppm. What is the percent increase in the amount of carbon in the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The percent increase in the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is 42.5% .

Explanation:

Given : In 1800 the concentration of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere was 280 ppm.

The concentration in 2015 was 399 ppm.

To Find : What is the percent increase in the amount of carbon in the atmosphere?

Solution:

The concentration of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere in 1800 = 280 ppm

The concentration in 2015 was 399 ppm.

Change in amount of carbon = 399-280 = 119 ppm

Percent increase =
`\frac{\text{Change in amount}}{\text{Initial concentration}} * 100`

Percent increase =
`(119)/(280) * 100`

Percent increase =
`42.5 \%`

Hence the percent increase in the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is 42.5% .