As the earth warms, sea level will rise due to melting of the polar ice and ther
ID: 2157535 • Letter: A
Question
As the earth warms, sea level will rise due to melting of the polar ice and thermal expansion of the oceans. Estimates of the expected temperature increase vary, but 3.5deg C by the end of the century has been plausibly suggested. If we assume that the temperature of the oceans also increases by this amount, how much will sea level rise by the year 2100 due only to the thermal expansion of the water? Assume, reasonably, that the ocean basins do not expand appreciably. The average depth of the ocean is 4000 m, and the coefficient of volume expansion of water at 20deg C is 0.207 x 10^-3 (Co)^-1. THE ANSWER TO THIS PROB IS 2.9M... can someone help me explaining why that is the answer. thank you !Explanation / Answer
Change in volume/original volume = V/V = (0.207*10^-3)*3.5 = 0.7245*10^-3
Volume = Area*height. Since area remains constant, volume is proportional to height.
V = A h
V/V = A h/Ah = h/h
So, h = 4000*0.7245*10^-3 = 2.9 m
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