how many grains of sand are there on the earth?

Question

this relates to an analogy used to discribe how many galaxies or stars there are in the universe. ie: count all the grains of sand on the earth multiply that by one million, and that is how many galaxies are in the universe. therefore, I'm curious if anyone has given thought to how many grains of sand on planet earth.

Answer 1

500

Answer 2

That answer is impossible to measure, due to the fact that sand is ground down rocks. More and more sand is created every day by weather erosion and tectonic shifts. But sand can also be turned back into a rock by high pressure. Why do you think they call it Sandstone? Also, under high heat, sand turns into glass as well.

So the number is impossible to actually measure. The analogy you are talking about is a generalisation that has no answer. What it is basicly saying, is that since the number of grains of sand are uncountable, the universe is supposedly limitless with an inumeral ammount of galxies. Its one of those Quantum Mechanics tied to astronomy.

Answer 3

The diameters of sand grains range from about 0.1 to 2 millimetres. We'll adopt an average diameter of 0.5 millimetres. Lets stack them simply, one on top of another (not very likely in a beach I admit), so that 8000 fit into 1 cubic centimetre. Drum roll please. The total number of sand grains on our Earth beach is then 600 billion billion. But wait!, I hear some of you remarking about sand dunes and sand below the low tide mark. To placate you worriers I'm happy to increase my initial estimate by a factor of 3. That gives me a grand total of about 2000 billion and billion grains of sand on Earth.

Answer 4

Ok i like this trick question. There is absolutely no way we will ever know when a new grain is shed every second. + who has ever been able to count the grains in a small sand box? lol

Answer 5

To see the world in a grain of sand,
and to see heaven in a wild flower,
hold infinity in the palm of your hands,
and eternity in an hour.

William Blake

Answer 6

The question is flawed in itself. the question stats sand on the planet a finite number is equal to galaxies an infinite number.

Answer 7

do you really think that there`s a person who has been count the grains of sand in th earth ???

Answer 8

Too many to count

Answer 9

Never really thought about it. Tell you what though; I'll start counting and I'll get back to you later. ^~

Answer 10

Legion.