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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the barometric formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Pressure at altitude (Pa)
• \( P_0 \) — Sea level pressure (Pa)
• \( M \) — Molar mass of air (0.0289644 kg/mol)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Altitude (m)
• \( R \) — Universal gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K)
• \( T \) — Temperature (K)

Explanation: The formula shows how pressure decreases exponentially with altitude, with the rate of decrease depending on temperature and air composition.

3. Importance of Atmospheric Pressure Calculation

Details: Calculating atmospheric pressure at different altitudes is crucial for aviation, meteorology, engineering, and scientific research. It affects aircraft performance, weather patterns, and equipment design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Standard sea level pressure is 101325 Pa
• Standard temperature is 288.15 K (15°C)
• Standard molar mass of dry air is 0.0289644 kg/mol
• For more accurate results, use local temperature measurements

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does pressure decrease with altitude?
A: Pressure decreases because there's less air above pushing down at higher altitudes.

Q2: How accurate is this formula?
A: It's accurate for an isothermal atmosphere. Real atmosphere has temperature variations.

Q3: What's the pressure at Mount Everest's summit?
A: About 33700 Pa (8848m altitude, using standard temperature and pressure).

Q4: Does humidity affect the calculation?
A: Yes, moist air has lower molar mass. For precise calculations, adjust M accordingly.

Q5: Can I use this for other planets?
A: Yes, but you'll need to adjust g, M, and possibly R for the specific planet.