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How much interplanetary hydrogen could the Earth sweep up?

Launcher poly Australia
Status Vaulted: Jan 26, 2015 06:26

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the Earth interplanetary space hydrogen in space hydrogen atoms

Description

What is the density of interplanetary hydrogen at the distance of Earth from the Sun? If the Earth swept up by gravitational attraction a volume extending out by say 1 million kilometres from its centre, how much hydrogen would be gained in this way each year? (ZBL#109)

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This figure was needed to see whether hydrogen loss or gain by the Earth is significant in determining the balance of water (sea volume) on an expanding Earth.

The working result was an annual gain of about 7x10^8 kg of neutral hydrogen. While this is small compared to the mass of the Earth, and is only a first-approximation result subject to various riders, it is still about 700,000 tonnes per year -- not that much short of a million tonnes.

However, as the hydrogen would be only one-ninth of the water created by it picking up oxygen, the theoretical water gain would be about 6.3 million tonnes.

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Clarifications

Q:

do we have an assumed baseline interplanetary hydrogen atom density?

Asked by anthonyjschulte on Jul 21, 2011

A:

No, the main part of the zomb is to search for hydrogen density at Earth's distance from the Sun. Then the final figure is obtained simply by multiplying this density by the volume of the toroid swept out each year.

Q:

Exclusively hydrogen or all elements?

Asked by calek3nn3dy on May 30, 2011

A:

Only hydrogen is wanted, though of course it will be the very largest component present.

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