The density of atmospheric air varies with elevation, decreasing with increasing altitude.
(a) Using the data given in the table, obtain a relation for the variation of density with elevation, and calculate the density at an elevation of 7000 m.
(b) Calculate the mass of the atmosphere using the correlation you obtained. Assume the earth to be a perfect sphere with a radius of 6377 km, and take the thickness of the atmosphere to be 25 km.
z, km ρ,kg/m3
|
6377
|
1.225
|
|
6378
|
1.112
|
|
6379
|
1.007
|
|
6380
|
0.9093
|
|
6381
|
0.8194
|
|
6382
|
0.7364
|
|
6383
|
0.6601
|
|
6385
|
0.5258
|
|
6387
|
0.4135
|
|
6392
|
0.1948
|
|
6397
|
0.08891
|
|
6402
|
0.04008
|