Tunguska experienced a huge explosion in 1908 that flattened - GED Prep

Question

Tunguska experienced a huge explosion in 1908 that flattened trees. It is believed that a comet or an asteroid fell on the earth’s surface causing the explosion. Ice core samples and deposits of ammonia to the tune of 5µg/m2 are important signs that scientists use to prove that the explosion really occurred. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain how these molecules were formed. They include;

  1. The explosion started forest fires that produced ammonia. Data shows that the fires could have deposited ammonia to a tune of 0.1 µg/m2
  2. Some hypothesize that at least 1 % of the object’s mass could have been ammonia which later spread to rural areas. About 0.00005µg/m2 predicted this hypothesis.
  3. The high heat of the falling objects could have led to the production of ammonia. However, heat alone could not be led to the production of enormous ammonia.
  4. The object moved through the atmosphere at high speed and pressure that forced nitrogen and hydrogen to combine to form ammonia.  Due to high amounts of nitrogen and hydrogen on the earth’s source, this phenomenon could have led to the production of about 5 µg/m2 of ammonia.

The researchers concluded that one of the above hypotheses better explains the presence of ammonia in the air after the explosion.

The scientists investigating the explosion estimated the mass of the object that caused the Tunguska Event at 5 x 107 kilograms (kg).

If the object was a comet in which 1% of total mass was ammonia, how much ammonia did the comet contain?

Answers
  1. correct
Explanation

The total mass of the comet is given as;

5 x 107 kg = 535 kg

We then get 1 % of the mass:

1/100 x 535 = 535/100 = 5.35 kg

No Payment Cards Needed

Related Courses

Discover a range of courses designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your chosen field.

a prepsaret exam featured image
Career Prep

SHRM-SCP Test Prep

Start Course Prep
a prepsaret exam featured image
Career Prep

SHRM-CP Test Prep

Start Course Prep
a prepsaret exam featured image
Career Prep

PMP Test Prep

Start Course Prep
a prepsaret exam featured image
CompTIA Prep

220-1201 - CompTIA A+ Exam Core 1

Start Course Prep
a prepsaret exam featured image
CompTIA Prep

220-1202 - CompTIA A+ Exam Core 2

Start Course Prep
a prepsaret exam featured image
CompTIA Prep

CompTIA SecurityX CAS-005

Start Course Prep

Easy way to pass your test within a week with prepsaret

You don’t need one month to study and pass your test.
With Prepsaret, it takes you a few days to grasp all the concepts needed to pass your exams

View Courses Offered