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Multiple Choice
What percentage of Earth's water is fresh water?
A
About 10%
B
About 50%
C
About 25%
D
About 2.5%
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context: Earth's water is distributed across oceans, glaciers, groundwater, and other sources. The majority of Earth's water is saltwater, found in oceans, while a smaller fraction is freshwater.
Recall the key fact: Freshwater includes water in glaciers, ice caps, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and the atmosphere. However, most of this freshwater is locked in glaciers and ice caps, making it inaccessible for direct human use.
Analyze the options: The problem provides four percentages (10%, 50%, 25%, and 2.5%) as possible answers. Consider which percentage aligns with the known distribution of freshwater on Earth.
Apply the concept: Freshwater makes up approximately 2.5% of the total water on Earth. This includes all sources of freshwater, such as glaciers, groundwater, and surface water.
Conclude: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is 'About 2.5%,' as it accurately reflects the proportion of Earth's water that is freshwater.