Mass of the atmosphere

The atmosphere is a body of gas.
1. To understand variations in temperature, volume and pressure we must understand the mechanical laws of gas.
  1. Two simple laws govern the changes in pressure
    1. Boyle's Law
      1. At a constant temperature the volume is inversely proportionate to the pressure.
        p = (k1/v)
        Where k1 k2 are mathematical constants
        When working with gases temperature must always be expressed in Kelvin (which is degrees Celsius temp added to 273)
        As pressure goes up volume goes down
    2. Charle's Law
      1. At a constant pressure, volume varies directly with absolute temperature measured in degrees Kelvin
        v = (k2 V)
        The higher the temperature the higher the kinetic energy of the gas, needs more room then if in low temperature.
        Thus, low temp means low volume.
  2. All interdependent
2. highly compressible
One half of the total mass of air is found below 5km
1. at lower levels it is more dense

Resource summary

	Created by Sharondeep about 10 years ago