Published on 4 June 2023 at 3:32pm
The mass of our planet fluctuates constantly due to different factors. Intuitively, one might think that its mass increases over time, but that is not the case. Explanation.
Several factors to consider
To answer this question, scientists from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom simply established an accounting balance of what happens on Earth and what leaves it. There are several factors that influence the estimated mass of about 6,000 trillion trillion tonnes of our planet.
On the side of elements arriving on Earth each year, about 40,000 tonnes of dust fall from space, which is by far the largest contribution in terms of mass gain. This “dust” is mainly composed of remnants from the solar system, such as asteroid debris.
In addition to this, the increase in Earth’s energy mass related to climate change also adds up. The contribution, however, is modest, with just an additional 160 tonnes.
According to scientists from the University of Cambridge, population growth and new constructions do not significantly contribute to the mass since they are made up of elements already present on Earth.
Photo: NASA/Reid Wiseman
Earth is inevitably losing mass
Regarding the factors contributing to its mass loss, Earth sheds about three kilograms of hydrogen every second, which means that 95,000 tonnes of hydrogen are thus vaporized every year. This factor is by far the most determining in this phenomenon.
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