Question

How many magnetic pole reversals has earth endured during the age of humans, 4.1 million years, if the average time between reversals is 700,000 years?

Option 1: 4
Option 2: 5
Option 3: 6
Option 4: 7

Answer 1

The Earth has experienced approximately 5 full magnetic pole reversals during the past 4.1 million years, based on an average of 700,000 years between reversals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks us to calculate how many magnetic pole reversals Earth has undergone during the age of humans, which is approximately 4.1 million years, if on average the time between reversals is 700,000 years.

To find the answer, we divide the total timespan by the average time between reversals:

1. 4.1 million years / 700,000 years = approximately 5.857.

Since the number of reversals must be an integer, we round down to the nearest whole number, because you cannot have a partial reversal. This gives us:

1. 5 full magnetic pole reversals.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is Option 2: 5 magnetic pole reversals.