MadSci Network: Astronomy |
As I see it, there are several processes at work in the alteration of the mass of the Earth. Can you help me figure out how much mass the Earth gains/loses each year? Here is the equation I have come up with so far: Total mass change = [Amount of space debris (dust, meteorites, etc) that falls to the earth] + [amount of space junk (from NASA, etc) that falls back to Earth] + [the mass of the solar wind absorbed by Earth] + [the mass-energy absorbed by the Earth due to the photoelectric effect] + [The mass of neutrinos??? absorbed by Earth] - [The total mass-energy of light emitted into space by manmade lights and radio, natural fires, volcanoes, lightning, etc] - [the mass of space shuttles and cargo blasted off into space] - [the mass- energy of the thermal heat lost to space] - [any gasses that escape into space] Please help me complete this formula and perhaps even plug in some numbers. Alternatively, I imagine you could get the end answer by studying the Earth's movement around the sun (velocity, distance, etc.) Thanks, scott
Re: How much mass is the earth gaining/losing each year?
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