The Greenland ice sheet can be one km thick.Estimate the pressure underneath the ice where it is 0.80 km deep.(The density of ice is 918 kg/m³. ) A) 9.0 × 10⁵ Pa (9 atm) B) 2.5 × 10⁶ Pa (25 atm) C) 7.2 × 10⁶ Pa (72 atm) D) 9.0 × 10⁶ Pa (90 atm)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can use the formula for pressure at a depth in a fluid:
P = ρgh
where P is pressure, ρ is density, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is depth.

In this case, we can use the density of ice and assume that the acceleration due to gravity is constant at 9.81 m/s^2:
P = (918 kg/m^3) * (9.81 m/s^2) * (0.80 km)
P = 7.2 × 10^16 Pa

Therefore, the best choice is (C), 7.2 × 10^16 Pa (72 atm), as it matches our calculation.

The Greenland Ice Sheet Can Be One Km Thick