1. Atmospheric Structure

Pressure And Density — Quiz

Test your understanding of pressure and density with 5 practice questions.

Practice Questions

Question 1

Calculate the atmospheric scale height $H$ in kilometers for an isothermal atmosphere at $T=288\,\mathrm{K}$. Use $R_d=287\,\mathrm{J/(kg\,K)}$ and $g=9.81\,\mathrm{m/s^2}$.

Question 2

In an isothermal atmosphere with scale height $H$, what fraction of sea-level pressure remains at altitude $z=2H$?

Question 3

Using the hypsometric equation $\Delta z=\frac{R_dT}{g}\ln\frac{P_1}{P_2}$, calculate the thickness $\Delta z$ between the 1000\,hPa and 700\,hPa surfaces for $T=260\,\mathrm{K}$.

Question 4

In an isothermal atmosphere at $T=250\,\mathrm{K}$, at what altitude $z$ (in kilometers) will pressure drop to half of its sea-level value? Use $R_d=287\,\mathrm{J/(kg\,K)}$ and $g=9.81\,\mathrm{m/s^2}$.

Question 5

If the vertical pressure gradient is $\tfrac{dP}{dz}=-8\,\mathrm{Pa/m}$, what is the air density $\rho$ at that altitude assuming hydrostatic balance and $g=9.81\,\mathrm{m/s^2}$?