Question

Globally, in 2010 and 2012, respectively, there were about 9.20 billion metric tons and 9.60 billion metric tons of carbon in earth's atmosphere. Determine the increase in carbon (c) and carbon dioxide (co2) in the atmosphere in units of metric tons between 2010 and 2012.

Answer 1

a) Increase of Carbon alone:

9.6 - 9.2 = 0.4 billion metric tons of Carbon

b) relate

0.4 billion metric tons of Carbon

to CO2

1 mol of C = 1 mol of CO2

12 g of C = 44 g of CO2

so

0.4 billion metric tons of Carbon = 44/12*0.4 = 1.4666 billion metric