Question

The Torrid Zone on Earth is the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (lines of latitude close to the equator). The distance between these two tropics is about 3250 miles. You can estimate the distance as the height of a cylindrical belt around the earth at the equator. Part A: If the radius of the Earth is 3960 miles, then estimate the amount of surface area of the Torrid Zone (cylinder shape). Approximate to the nearest thousands place. Part B: A meteorite is equally likely to hit the earth Estimate the probability of a meteorite hitting the Torrid Zone. Hint: You need the surface area of the Torrid Zone (cylinder) AND the surface area of the Earth (sphere).

Answer 1

A) 80875080 miles^2

B) 0.4104

Explanation:

Surface area of the torrid zone will be the surface area of the side of a cylinder excluding the surface area of the top and bottom

SA = 2¶rh

Where ¶ = 3.142

r = earth's radius = 3960 miles

h = distance between the two points = 3250 miles

SA = 2 x 3.142 x 3960 x 3250 = 80875080 miles^2

Surface area of earth = 4¶r^2

SA = 4 x 3.142 x 3960^2 = 197086348.8 miles^2

Probability of meteorites hitting the torrid zone = surface area of torrid zone ÷ surface area of earth

= 80875080/197086348.8 = 325/792

= 0.4104