FA#6-Television, part III

First of all, we must find out how much coal is needed for the amount of electricity used (3.78E32 kWh). The conversion rate is 6,150 kWh/ton. To find the total tons of coal required, we divide 3.78E32 kWh/6,150 kWh/ton. We get 6.14634146e28 tons of coal. Next, we find the conversion rate of tons of coal to kilos of CO2 (1 kg coal = 1.83 kg CO2). First we convert tons to kilos (5.57586718E31 kg), then multiply that by 1.83 (1.02038369E32). FA#6 = 32.

FQ#6-Television, part III

In order for a coal powered electrical plant to generate enough electricity for the situation in the previous question (answer here), how many kilograms of CO2 would be released into the atmosphere?

FA#5-Television, part II

To solve this question, we must figure out how many years it takes the galaxy to make one rotation (~220,000,000 years). Next we must convert this number to hours (1 years = 8,765.81277 hours). We have a total of 1,928,478,809,565 hours. Now we have to take Turn Off Your T.V. week into account. At a rate of 1 week = 168 hours, 220,000,000 weeks = 36,960,000,000 hours. Subtract our Turn Off Your T.V. week hours from the total (1,891,518,809,565 hours). Multiply the number of hours by the total kilowatts/hour the televisions of the U.S.A. consume (106,443,900*1,891,518,809,565=2.01340639E20). One step left; convert kw to watts (2.01E23). FA#5 = 23.

FQ#5-Television, part II

Assuming all things are constant and that Turn Off Your T.V. week is universally observed, how many watts of power would be consumed by the current number of televisions in the U.S.A. if they were all left on for the amount of time it takes for our galaxy to make one rotation?

FA#4-Television

To solve this, first take the number of televisions per capita in the U.S. (~702.6/1000) and multiply that by the number of people in the U.S (~303,000,000). The answer is 212,887,800. Next, multiply the number of televisions by the amount of power a single television consumes (~.5 kw/h). The answer is 106,443,900 (~1.06E8) kw, so FA#4=8.

Convenient Calculator

Fermi Questions require a lot of math to solve and check, so a calculator that is always handy is convenient for quick calculation. After you estimate (no calculators allowed!) a solution for the question, you can use a calculator to check your work. I have my browser open when I write this blog, so I always have a convenient tool close at hand; my Google search box. All you have to do is enter the problem (e.g. 8365/467). The answer will be at the top of your search results. If you have the Google Toolbar installed (click here for download) you can set the search box to suggest (click "settings", select "search box settings", then click the check box to "suggest popular searches") If you enter your math problem followed by "="
(e.g. "8365/467="). A drop down window will appear stating the solution (see image above). I find this calculator to be very useful when I don't have a hand held calculator handy.

Chalkboard Headline Animator!

The chalkboard headline animator is here! This headline animator, provided by FeedBurner, fits with my blog "chalkboard" theme. You too can put this cool widget on your webpage, or any spot that supports html! To make it your own, click "Grab this Headline Animator" below.

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Headline Animator!

FeedBurner allows you to make cool widgets called "Headline Animators". You can see an example of one on my blog below the header. If you would like to promote my blog (hint, hint), or have easy access to the latest headlines on Fermi Questions; click on the link below the widget that says "grab this headline animator". It will give you the html code, so you can easily add it to your own homepage or website (ex. iGoogle, or Yahoo). I will make one of these that fits my "chalkboard" theme using the graphic below.

Fermi Questions - Feedburnerized!

Today, I added Fermi Questions to FeedBurner. FeedBurner is a service for blogs that allows you to optimize, publicize, analyze, and more. If you are not already subscribed to my blog, please do so by clicking the orange feed icon or clicking "subscribe now". Have a blessed new year!