Question

A meteorologist is monitoring the atmospheric pressure at various cities whose height above sea level varies. The meteorologist determines that the atmospheric pressure decreases by 12% for each additional kilometer the city is above sea level. It has been determined that the atmospheric pressure at sea level is 103 kPa (kilopascals).

Determine the atmospheric pressure in the following cities.

A city located 5.2 km above sea level

Answer 1

The atmospheric pressure decreases by 12% for each additional kilometer above sea level=>

Pressure = [Pressure at sea level] * (0.88)^x, where x is the height measured in Km

Pressure = 103 kPa * (0.88)^x

You can see that at sea level x = 0 and Pressure = 103 kPa* (0.88)^0 =103 kPa.

Then, at 5.2 km, x = 5.2 => Pressure = 103 kPa * (0.88)^5.2 = 52.98 kPa

Answer: 53 kPa