Final answer:
The average flux of solar energy reaching the Earth's surface is 240 W/m². Assuming food plants can convert solar energy to usable food calories with an efficiency of 1%, we can estimate the maximum population the Earth could support. However, the given information does not provide the necessary data to calculate the maximum population the Earth could support.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average flux of solar energy reaching the Earth's surface is about 240 W/m². Assuming food plants can convert solar energy to usable food calories with an efficiency of 1%, we can calculate the maximum population the Earth could support.
To do this, we need to calculate the total solar energy available to the Earth. The solar constant, which is the power per square meter reaching Earth's upper atmosphere from the Sun, is about 1,360 W/m². However, only a maximum of 1.30 kW/m² reaches the Earth's surface after absorption and reflection by the atmosphere.
Using the given conversion efficiency of 2.00%, we can calculate the area of solar energy collectors needed to replace an electric power plant that generates 750 MW. We do this by dividing the power generated by the conversion efficiency and the maximum power per square meter. The calculated area will give us an estimation of the maximum population the Earth could support.
Unfortunately, the given information does not provide the necessary data to calculate the maximum population the Earth could support. We can only calculate the area of solar energy collectors needed to replace an electric power plant for certain countries' energy needs.