It is estimated that the net amount of carbon dioxide fixed by photosynthesis on the landmass of Earth is 5.5 1016 g/yr of CO2. Assume that all this carbon is converted into glucose. (a) Calculate the energy stored by photosynthesis on land per year, in kJ. (b) Calculate the average rate of conversion of solar energy into plant energy in megawatts, MW (1W = J/s). A large nuclear power plant produces about 103 MW. The energy of how many such nuclear power plants is equivalent to the solar energy conversion?

Question

It is estimated that the net amount of carbon dioxide fixed by photosynthesis on the landmass of Earth is 5.5  1016 g/yr of CO2. Assume that all this carbon is converted into glucose. (a) Calculate the energy stored by photosynthesis on land per year, in kJ. (b) Calculate the average rate of conversion of solar energy into plant energy in megawatts, MW (1W = J/s). A large nuclear power plant produces about 103 MW. The energy of how many such nuclear power plants is equivalent to the solar energy conversion?

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