Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite

Edward F. Redish

Home | Action Research Kit| Sample Problems | Resources | Product Information

Problems Sorted by Type | Problems Sorted by Subject | Problems Sorted by Chapter in UP

How high's the sky?

The density of water is just about 1000 kg/m3. The density of air is just about 1000 times less -- 1 kg/m3 (actually 1.3 kg/m3 at sea level.) From your knowledge of the air pressure at ground level, estimate the height of the atmosphere. As a simplifying assumption, take the atmosphere to be of uniform density up to some height after which the density rapidly falls to zero. (In reality, the density of the atmosphere decreases smoothly as we go up so it extends somewhat higher than you will estimate.)


Not finding what you wanted? Check the Site Map for more information.

Page last modified October 9, 2002: M06