Question

Suppose you have Avogadro's number of mini marshmallows and use them to cover the state of Iowa which has a land area of 5.587×10^4 mi^2. Each mini marshmallow has a diameter of 0.635 cm and a height of 2.54 cm. Assuming the marshmallows are packed together so there is no space between them, to what height above the surface, in kilometers, will the mini marshmallows extend?

Answer 1

1 sq. mile = 2.59 km²

S(Iowa) = 5.587×10⁴*2.59*10⁶=1.4470*10¹¹ m²

h=V/S=(п(d/2)²)*h*N/S=3.14*(0.635*10^-2/2)²*2.54*10^-2*6.022*10²³/1.4470*10¹¹=3.345977*10⁶ m = 3346 km

Answer: 3346 km.