We have noted that atmospheric pressure depends on altitude. Atmospheric pressure as a function of altitude can be calculated with an equation known as the barometric formula:

In this equation, P and P₀ can be in any pressure units, for example, Torr. P₀ is the pressure at sea level, generally taken to be 1.00 atm or its equivalent. The units in the exponential term must be SI units, however. Use the barometric formula to 

(a) Estimate the barometric pressure at the top of Mt. Whitney in California (altitude: 14,494 ft; assume a temperature of 10 °C);

(b) Show that barometric pressure decreases by one-thirtieth in value for every 900-ft increase in altitude.

Transcribed Image Text:

P= Pox 10-Mgh/2.303RT