Calculate the residence time of sodium.

Use
Mass m
(tons) Flow rate, f:3.5*10^5
(tons/year)
Sodium:2.8*10^13

Zach is investigating the residence time of sodium in sea water. According to Zach's data table, the residence time of sodium written in scientific notation is

years.

1 answer

To calculate the residence time of sodium, we can use the formula:

Residence time = Mass / Flow rate

Given:
Mass of sodium (m) = 2.8 * 10^13 tons
Flow rate (f) = 3.5 * 10^5 tons/year

Residence time = (2.8 * 10^13 tons) / (3.5 * 10^5 tons/year)

To divide these quantities with exponents, we can subtract the exponents:

Residence time = 2.8 * 10^13 / 3.5 * 10^5 tons/year

Now, let's simplify this calculation:

Residence time = (2.8 / 3.5) * (10^13 / 10^5) tons/year

Residence time = 0.8 * 10^8 tons/year

Now, we should express this answer in scientific notation since Zach's data table uses scientific notation.

0.8 * 10^8 tons/year can be written as 8 * 10^7 tons/year.

Therefore, the residence time of sodium, written in scientific notation, is 8 * 10^7 years.