Calculate Atmospheric Pressure From Elevation

Barometric Formula:

\[ P = P₀ × (1 - (0.0065 × h / T₀))^{5.2561} \]

Atmospheric Pressure (P):

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1. What is the Barometric Formula?

The barometric formula calculates atmospheric pressure at different altitudes based on sea level pressure and temperature. It models how air pressure decreases exponentially with increasing elevation in the troposphere.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the barometric formula:

\[ P = P₀ × (1 - (0.0065 × h / T₀))^{5.2561} \]

Where:

\( P \) — Atmospheric pressure at elevation (Pa)
\( P₀ \) — Sea level atmospheric pressure (Pa)
\( h \) — Elevation above sea level (meters)
\( T₀ \) — Sea level standard temperature (Kelvin)
0.0065 — Temperature lapse rate (K/m)
5.2561 — Dimensionless constant

Explanation: The formula accounts for the exponential decrease in atmospheric pressure with altitude due to the decreasing weight of the air column above.

3. Importance of Atmospheric Pressure Calculation

Details: Accurate atmospheric pressure calculation is crucial for aviation, weather forecasting, altitude sickness prevention, engineering design, and scientific research involving atmospheric conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter sea level pressure in Pascals (standard is 101325 Pa), elevation in meters, and sea level temperature in Kelvin (standard is 288.15 K). All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the standard sea level pressure?
A: The international standard atmosphere sea level pressure is 101325 Pascals (1013.25 hPa).

Q2: What is the standard sea level temperature?
A: The international standard atmosphere sea level temperature is 288.15 Kelvin (15°C).

Q3: How accurate is this formula?
A: The formula provides good approximations for altitudes up to 11,000 meters in standard atmospheric conditions, but actual conditions may vary.

Q4: Why does pressure decrease with altitude?
A: Pressure decreases because there is less air above weighing down, and air becomes less dense with increasing altitude.

Q5: Can this be used for very high altitudes?
A: This formula is primarily for the troposphere (up to ~11 km). Different formulas apply for stratosphere and higher altitudes.