Volume of ice needed to mitigate ocean warming since 1871

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the thickness of ice required to absorb a significant amount of energy that has been absorbed by the Earth's oceans since 1871. The subject area includes thermodynamics and energy transfer, particularly focusing on the heat of fusion of ice.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the thickness of ice needed to absorb 436 x 10^21 J of energy, expressing uncertainty about their result. Another participant raises a related question about the thickness of melting ice required to lower ocean temperature by 1°C, suggesting a simpler calculation approach. There is also a correction regarding the heat of fusion value and its units.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different calculations and questioning the accuracy of values used. Some guidance is provided through the questioning of assumptions and the clarification of units, but no consensus has been reached on the calculations presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of specific energy values and assumptions about the properties of ice and water. There is an acknowledgment of potential errors in the values used for calculations.

awink16
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Homework Statement
Volume of ice needed to mitigate ocean warming since 1871
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According to following study 436 x 10^21 J of energy have been absorbed by the Earth's oceans since 1871. https://www.pnas.org/content/116/4/1126

What thickness of ice covering the globe would be needed to melt in order to absorb this amount of energy, assuming that all energy goes towards the heat of fusion and an ice density of 917 kg/(m^3)? I came up with 2.8m but I'm not sure about my calculation. That answer just seems crazy. Thanks!
 
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If the Earth were smooth the ocean (everywhere) would have a depth of ~3km. What thickness of melting ice would it take to lower the temperature of the ocean by 1deg C? (this is a one line calculation using the heat of fusion and the definition of the cal) Is your answer reasonable?
 
awink16 said:
heat of fusion of the ice, 2.09 J/g·°C,
What? Both the units and the value are incorrect.
 
yea I messed up. nevermind :rolleyes:
 
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