Approximately what percent of the Earth’s hydrosphere is contained in frozen ice such as glaciers and polar icecaps?
A.
2%
B.
97%
C.
50%
D.
75%
A. 2%
The correct answer is B. 97%.
To determine the approximate percentage of the Earth's hydrosphere contained in frozen ice, we need to understand the composition of the hydrosphere and its distribution in terms of liquid and frozen water.
The hydrosphere refers to all the water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and ice. The vast majority of the Earth's water is found in the oceans, accounting for about 97.5% of the total water on the planet.
Frozen ice, on the other hand, can be found in the form of glaciers, ice caps, and icebergs. These are found primarily at the polar regions, such as the Arctic and Antarctica.
Based on this information, we can conclude that the percentage of the Earth's hydrosphere contained in frozen ice is relatively small compared to the total amount of water on the planet.
Looking at the given options:
A. 2%: This seems to be a very low estimation, as it does not take into account the significant amount of liquid water in the oceans.
B. 97%: This is an incorrect estimation because it considers the amount of water in the oceans only, without considering the frozen ice component.
C. 50%: This is also an incorrect estimation, as it assumes that half of the Earth's hydrosphere is frozen, which is not the case.
D. 75%: This is an incorrect estimation, as it overstates the amount of frozen ice in the Earth's hydrosphere.
Considering the information that the majority of the Earth's water is found in the oceans and the frozen ice comprises only a small fraction, we can conclude that the correct answer is A. 2%.