Question

A futile task is proverbially said to be “like trying to empty the ocean

with a teaspoon.” Just how futile is such a task? Estimate the number of

teaspoonfuls of water in the Earth’s oceans.

And,

Estimate the time that might be taken to empty all oceans in the Earth. Give your answer with centuries and seconds.

Answer 1

Volume of a teaspoon is 5 mL, or $5·10^{-6}\text{ m}^3.$

Volume of the oceans on earth is $1.386·10^{18}\text{ m}^3.$

Assume 1 spoon a second:

$$T=V_O/V_S=2.772·10^{23}\text{ s},$$

or 8.78·10¹³ centuries.