Compared to the planet's average radius (6371 km or 3959 mi), the atmosphere is like the thin skin of an apple. About 99% of the atmosphere's mass occurs within about 32 km (20 mi) of Earth's surface. Hence, the thickness of the atmosphere represents only about _____ % of the total radius of the Earth-atmosphere system.
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no, 3
Actually, the answer is approximately 0.5%, which means that the thickness of the atmosphere represents only about 0.5% of the Earth's total radius.
To calculate the thickness of the atmosphere as a percentage of the total radius of the Earth-atmosphere system, we need to find the difference between the average radius of the Earth and the distance where 99% of the atmosphere's mass occurs, and then divide it by the average radius.
Let's start by finding the difference between the average radius of the Earth and the distance where 99% of the atmosphere's mass occurs:
Average Radius of the Earth = 6371 km or 3959 mi
Distance where 99% of the atmosphere's mass occurs = 32 km or 20 mi
Difference = Average Radius of the Earth - Distance where 99% of the atmosphere's mass occurs
Next, we divide the difference by the average radius and multiply it by 100 to find the percentage:
Thickness of the Atmosphere as a Percentage = (Difference / Average Radius of the Earth) * 100
Now, let's substitute the values and calculate:
Thickness of the Atmosphere as a Percentage = ((6371 km or 3959 mi) - (32 km or 20 mi)) / (6371 km or 3959 mi) * 100
Once we perform the calculation, we will get the answer.