I calculated these solutions myself but I have doubt in my answers, I\'d appreci
ID: 2272426 • Letter: I
Question
I calculated these solutions myself but I have doubt in my answers, I'd appreciate some confirmation.
a. The U.S. average yield of corn is 153 bushels/acre.
Does this agree with the 2009 international average as
defined by the United Nation
The U.S. average yield of corn is 153 bushels/acre. Does this agree with the 2009 international average as defined by the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) corn yield of 51219 hectogram/hectare?2 If not, what might explain the difference? Using the FAO yield estimate, calculate how much corn could be grown on the planet if all current cropland were used for corn. First, calculate the surface area of the earth based on the average radius, then the land area (30% of the surface area), then the croplands (10% of the land area), and assume one harvest per year3. Give answer in kg. How many people could be fed if all corn went to food? (And humans ate only corn!). Assume a minimum caloric intake of 2000 calories (kcal) a day and 83 kcal/77 g (1 ear) of corn. Now, we'll consider a diet of 100% meat, where animals eat the grain, and people eat the animals. It has been estimated that the production of 1 kg meat requires 3-10 kg grain, so let's take 7 kg as a middle value. Assume 200 kcal/85g (3 oz.), a typical value for beef. How many people could be fed if all corn went toward meat for human consumption?4 Based on these simple calculations, is it possible for global agriculture to feed all people on a 100% corn diet? What about a 100% meat diet?Explanation / Answer
a)
153 bushels/acre = 153*56 lb / acre = 153*56*453.6/100 hectogram / acre = 153*56*453.6/100 *0.405 hectogram/hectare
= 15740.1 hectogram / hectare
51219 hectogram / hectare estimate from 2009 is almost 3.25 times.
b)
Possible difference might be due to the fact that one is shelled while other might be cobbed.
c)
Surface area of earth = 4*pi*r^2 = 4*3.14*6371^2 = 509805891 km^2
Land area of earth = 30 % of 509805891 = 0.3*509805891 = 152941767 km^2
Crop land = 10 % of 152941767 = 0.1*152941767 = 15294176.7 km^2 = 15294176.7 *10^6 m^2 = 15294176.7 *10^6 / 10,000 hectare ^2
= 1529417672.88 hectare^2
Total corn produce in a year = 51219*1529417672.88 hectogram = 51219*1529417672.88 *100/1000 kg
= 7,833,524,378,724 kg
= 7.8*10^12 kg
d)
77 g gives 83 kcal.
2000 cal will come from 2000*77 / 83 = 1855 g = 1.855 kg
Total persons = 7.8*10^12 / 1.855 = 4,221,964,437,883 people
= 4.22*10^12 people
e)
7.8*10^12 kg wil yield 7.8*10^12 / 7 kg of meat. = 1.1*10^12 kg of meat.
Total Calories = 1.1*10^12 *200 / 85 *1000 kcal = 2.588*10^15 kcal
2000 calories per person.
Total person = 2.588*10^15 / 2000 = 1.294*10^12 people
f)
Population of earth = 6*10^9
g)
Yes, it is possible.
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