How do I solve this problem step by step?

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

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 __*10^ years.

1 answer

To solve this problem, we need to use the equation:

Residence Time = Mass / Flow Rate

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

Step 1: Divide the mass by the flow rate to find the residence time of sodium.

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

Step 2: Simplify the division of the mass and flow rate.

Residence Time = (2.8 / 3.5) * (10^13 / 10^5) years

Step 3: Divide the numbers outside the exponent.

Residence Time = 0.8 * (10^13 / 10^5) years

Step 4: Subtract the exponents in the division.

Residence Time = 0.8 * 10^8 years

Step 5: Convert the result to scientific notation.

Residence Time = 8 * 10^7 years

Therefore, according to Zach's data table, the residence time of sodium written in scientific notation is 8 * 10^7 years.