Methane and CO2 atmospheric lifetime math problem

AI Thread Summary
Methane is significantly more effective than CO2 as an infrared absorber on a per-molecule basis, with a ratio of 26:1. To calculate the effectiveness on a per-unit-mass basis, the masses of methane and CO2 must be considered, as well as their respective atmospheric lifetimes of 11 years for methane and 1000 years for CO2. The global warming potential (GWP) of methane over 20 years is 23, compared to CO2's GWP of 1. The discrepancy arises from the shorter atmospheric lifetime of methane, which affects its overall impact despite its higher absorption efficiency. Understanding these ratios is crucial for evaluating the relative contributions of these gases to climate change.
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Homework Statement



On a per-molecule basis, methane is 26 times more effective as an infrared absorber than is CO2. Calculate the corresponding ratio on a per-unit-mass basis, and compare it with the 20-year GWP for methane. What's the reason for any discrepncy you find?
(CO2 atmospheric lifetime = 1000 years, GWP relative to CO2 is 1 in 20 years)
(Methane atmospheric lifetime = 11 years, global warming potential relative to CO2 in 20 years is 23)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I am not sure how to start this problem. I think I need to make a ratio between methane and CO2 but am not sure if that is right or how to do so.
 
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It gives you the ratio between their effectiveness per molecule. How to change this ratio considering the effectiveness per mass instead of molecule?
 
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1 molecule of CO2 has mass ... atomic units
... atomic units of CO2 has absorption rating X
1 atomic unit of CO2 has absorption rating ...
1 atomic unit of methane has absorption rating ...
 
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