1. What is the Barometric Formula?

The barometric formula describes how atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude in an isothermal atmosphere. It's derived from the ideal gas law and hydrostatic equilibrium assumptions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the barometric formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Pressure at altitude (Pa)
• \( P_0 \) — Sea level pressure (101325 Pa standard)
• \( M \) — Molar mass of air (0.02896 kg/mol standard)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Altitude (meters)
• \( R \) — Universal gas constant (8.314 J/(mol·K))
• \( T \) — Temperature (Kelvin)

Explanation: The formula shows exponential decrease in pressure with altitude, with rate depending on temperature and air composition.

3. Importance of Pressure Calculation

Details: Accurate pressure estimation is crucial for aviation, meteorology, engineering, and understanding atmospheric phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Standard sea level pressure is 101325 Pa. For Earth's atmosphere, standard molar mass is 0.02896 kg/mol. Temperature must be in Kelvin (0°C = 273.15K).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this formula?
A: It's a simplified model assuming constant temperature and gravity. Real atmosphere has temperature variations.

Q2: Why does pressure decrease with altitude?
A: Pressure results from the weight of air above. At higher altitudes, there's less air above exerting downward force.

Q3: What's the pressure at Mount Everest's summit?
A: Approximately 33700 Pa (about 1/3 of sea level pressure) at 8848m with standard conditions.

Q4: How does temperature affect the result?
A: Warmer temperatures make pressure decrease more slowly with altitude (air expands more).

Q5: Can this be used for other planets?
A: Yes, with appropriate values for P₀, M, g, and atmospheric composition of the planet.