Question

A certain rain cloud at an altitude of 1.80 km contains 3.20 107 kg of water vapor. How long would it take for a 2.90-kW pump to raise the amount of water from Earth's surface to the cloud's position?

Answer 1

2255 days

Step-by-step explanation:

height, h = 1.8 km = 1800 m

amount of water, m = 3.2 x 10^7 kg

Power, P = 2.9 kW = 2900 W

Let t be the time taken

Energy required to lift the water,

E = m g h

E = 3.2 x 10^7 x 9.8 x 1800 = 5.65 x 10^11 J

Power, P = Energy / time

t = E / P = (5.65 x 10^11) / 2900

t = 1.95 x 10^8 second

t = 2255 days

thus, the time taken is 2255 days.