PHYS 106L Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Pressure-Gradient Force, Ideal Gas Law, Kinetic Energy
Document Summary
Variations of temperature and pressure through the atmosphere. The atmosphere is composed of particles, all of which are affected and pulled down by gravity. Vertical pressure gradient force: pressure changes with height - keeps. Net force: upward, due to vertical pressure gradient, equal to force of molecules from sinking and compressing gravity to allow air molecules to stay suspended. Fewer molecules per unit volume of atmosphere as height increases. Ideal gas law: pressure = density x gas constant x temperature. Atmospheric density decreases with height from the earth"s surface. The rate at which density decreases with height: for every 5. 6 km ascended, Barometric pressure: pressure = 1000 mb * 0. 5 ( x / 5. 6 ) Dalton"s law : sum of partial pressures is total atmospheric pressure atmospheric mass decreases by half. Percentage of total atmospheric volume = pressure x 10. 10% = 100 mb at sea level.
