The mass of the earths atmosphere is approximately 5.15 X 1018 kg. Assume that this corresponds to approximately 1.78 X 1020 moles of gas molecules. Our current estimate is that the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere is about 410 ppm, which means that for every million gas molecules in the atmosphere, approximately 410 of them are carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere has been increasing about 2.2 ppm each year for the past 15 years. For this homework problem I want you to make an estimate of the significance of the carbon footprint of the United States.

a. Based on 410 ppm, calculate the number of moles of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Then calculate the total number of grams of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

b. Based on an increase of 2.2 ppm annually, calculate the number of moles of carbon dioxide that are added to the atmosphere each year. Then calculate the total number of grams of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere.

c. Based on data from the EPA the USA emitted 4856.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019. How many grams of carbon dioxide does the United States add to the atmosphere each year? [Answer: 4.8567 X 1015 grams, or about 0.620 ppm in the atmosphere.]

d. Compare the US carbon dioxide emissions each year to the 410 ppm total carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the 2.2 ppm increase in carbon dioxide each year. Write a short paragraph about the comparison and explain whether you feel the US carbon emissions are significant or insignificant as far as building carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.