a. We know the water ice at the north pole is at least 1 meter in thickness. We

Question

a. We know the water ice at the north pole is at least 1 meter in thickness. We alsosee it spread out over an area of approximately 107 km2. What is the minimum volume of water ice at the north pole in cm3? [5 pts]

b. The density of water is 1 g/cm3. How many grams of water are present in the north pole? [2 pts]

c. If one liter of water is equal to 1000 grams of water. How many liters of water arepresent at the Martian north pole? [3 pts]

d. A human needs at least 2 liters of water a day to survive. How long could 5 humans survive off the water at the north pole of Mars? Put your answer in Earth years. [5 pts]

e. Discuss how feasible using in-situ water would be for supporting a human colony.Create a list of pros and cons with at least 3 reasons for each. [5 pts]

Explanation / Answer

a). thickness t = 1m = 100 cm ; area a = 107km2 =107 x 1010 cm2

volume v = t x a = 100 x 107 x 1010 = 107 x 1012 cm3

b). volume v = 107 x 1012   ; density d = 1g/cm3

mass m = density d x volume v = 1 x 107 x 1012 = 107 x 1012 g

c). given 1litre = 1000g

so 107 x 1012 g contain 107 x 1012 / 1000 = 107 x 109 litre

d). the volume at the martian northpole v = 107 x 109 litre

1 human need 2 litre water per day

5 humans require 5x2 = 10 litre per day.

we have 107 x 109 litre in total

so the number of days the 5 human can survive is 107 x 109  / 10 = 107 x 108 days

= 107 x 108 / 365 = 0.293 x 108 year

e). pros;

* booming human population can be controlled.

* water scarcity on earth may be checked.

* pollution on earth can be reduced.

cons,

* distance is too long.

* laying the infrastructure isnt easy

* presence of oxygen is a big factor

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