Question

Assume that the temperature remains essentially constant in the upper part of the atmosphere. Obrain an epression for the variation in pressure in the upper atmosphere with height, the mean molecular weight of air is M.

Answer 1

Suppose the pressure at height h is p and that at `h+dh is p+dp. Then `
`dp=-rhog dh. …(i)`
Now considering any small volume `DeltaV` if air of mass
`Deltam, `
`pDeltaV=nRt=(Deltam)/(M)RT`
`p=(Deltam)/(DeltaV) (RT)/(M)=(rhoRT)/(M)`
`or, =rho=(M)/(RT)p.`
Putting in (i),
`dp=-(M)/(RT)pg dh`ltbr.`or, `int_(p_(0))^(p)(dp)/(p)=int_(0)^(h)-(M)/(RT)g dh`
`or, In(p)/(p_(0))=-(Mgh)/(RT)`
where p_(0) is the pressure at h=0.`
Thus, `p=p_(0) e^(-(Mgh)/(RT)).`