Pressure on an object as it rises up into the atmosphere

In summary, atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above an object and is measured in units of pressure. As an object rises into the atmosphere, the pressure decreases due to less air above it. This is because the density of air decreases with altitude, resulting in fewer molecules per unit area. The main factors that affect pressure on an object in the atmosphere are altitude, temperature, and humidity. As altitude and temperature decrease, pressure also decreases, while humidity increases pressure. Atmospheric pressure can have a significant impact on the human body as it rises into the atmosphere, causing discomfort and injury if not acclimated properly.
  • #1
wiggler115
4
0
how would you find the pressure on an object as it rises up into the atmosphere

ex.
A child's helium-filled balloon escapes at sea level and 20.0°C. It reaches an altitude of 3330 m, where the temperature is 5.0°C and the pressure only 0.65 atm. What is the ratio of its volume at this altitude to its volume at sea level?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


double post - ignore
 
  • #3


The pressure on an object as it rises up into the atmosphere can be calculated using the ideal gas law, which states that pressure is directly proportional to the number of gas molecules, temperature, and volume. As the object rises in altitude, the number of gas molecules remains constant, but the temperature and volume change.

To find the pressure on an object as it rises up into the atmosphere, we can use the equation P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2, where P1 is the initial pressure, V1 is the initial volume, T1 is the initial temperature, P2 is the final pressure, V2 is the final volume, and T2 is the final temperature.

In this scenario, P1 is the pressure at sea level (1 atm), V1 is the volume at sea level (the volume of the balloon), T1 is the temperature at sea level (20.0°C + 273.15 = 293.15 K), P2 is the pressure at an altitude of 3330 m (0.65 atm), V2 is the volume at this altitude (unknown), and T2 is the temperature at this altitude (5.0°C + 273.15 = 278.15 K).

Using the given values and rearranging the equation, we can solve for V2: V2 = (P1V1T2)/(P2T1) = (1 atm)(V1)(278.15 K)/(0.65 atm)(293.15 K) = 1.07V1

Therefore, the volume of the balloon at an altitude of 3330 m is 1.07 times the volume of the balloon at sea level. This means that the balloon will expand as it rises into the atmosphere due to the decrease in pressure. The ratio of its volume at this altitude to its volume at sea level is 1.07:1.
 

Related to Pressure on an object as it rises up into the atmosphere

What is atmospheric pressure?

Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above an object. It is measured in units of pressure, such as pounds per square inch (psi) or millibars (mb).

How does pressure change as an object rises into the atmosphere?

As an object rises up into the atmosphere, the pressure decreases. This is because there is less air above the object to exert a force on it. The higher the object goes, the lower the pressure will be.

Why does pressure change with altitude?

The pressure changes with altitude because the density of the air decreases as you move higher in the atmosphere. This means there are fewer air molecules in a given area, resulting in less force per unit of surface area.

What factors affect pressure on an object as it rises up into the atmosphere?

The main factors that affect pressure on an object as it rises up into the atmosphere are altitude, temperature, and humidity. As altitude increases, pressure decreases. As temperature decreases, pressure also decreases. As humidity increases, pressure increases.

How does atmospheric pressure affect the human body?

Atmospheric pressure can have a significant impact on the human body as it rises into the atmosphere. As pressure decreases, the air inside the body expands, which can cause discomfort and even injury. This is why it is important for humans to acclimate and adjust to changes in atmospheric pressure when traveling to higher altitudes.

Similar threads

  • Mechanics
Replies
15
Views
29K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
376
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
5
Views
626
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Back
Top