Did I Make Conceptual Mistakes in Deriving the Hypsometric Equation?

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In summary, the hypsometric equation is derived using the ideal gas law, hydrostatic equilibrium, and the relationship between temperature and height. It is given by P = P0 * (1-2.26x10^-5z) * e^(g/0.0065R), where P is pressure, P0 is sea level pressure, z is height, g is gravitational acceleration, and R is the gas constant. The derivation also confirms the use of this equation in altimeters.
  • #1
arenaninja
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Homework Statement


Derive the hypsometric equation, assuming a sea level temperature of 15 C, and that the temperature decreases with heigh at a rate of 6.5 C per km.

Homework Equations


Ideal gas law:
[tex]P=\rho RT[/tex]
Hydrostatic equilibrium:
[tex]dP = -\rho gdz[/tex]
Temperature varies with height:
[tex]T = 288 - 6.5*10^{-3}z[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]\int_{P_{0}}^{P} \frac{dP}{P} = \int_{0}^{z} \frac {-gdz}{RT(z)}[/tex]
[tex]\int_{P_{0}}^{P} \frac{dP}{P} = \int_{0}^{z} \frac {-gdz}{R*(288 - 6.5*10^{-3}z)}[/tex]
[tex]ln\left(\frac{P}{P_{0}}\right)=\frac{g}{6.5*10^{-3}*R}ln\left(\frac{288-6.5*10^{-3}z}{288}\right)[/tex]
And exponentiating this:
[tex]\frac{P}{P_{0}} = e^{\frac{g}{0.0065R}}\left(1-2.26x10^{-5}z\right)[/tex]
and finally
[tex]P = P_{0}\left(1-2.26x10^{-5}z\right)e^{\frac{g}{0.0065R}}[/tex]

but from a dimensional analysis, I know g/R is not a dimensionless quantity and therefore I should *not* be exponentiating this. I expect an exponential in the final answer but I'm not sure whether this is correct. (Some of you may recognize the initial conditions set this to be the equation used by a standard altimeter).

Did I make any conceptual mistakes? I'm fairly confident about the math.
 
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  • #2
The constant 6.5*10^-3 has units as well.
 

FAQ: Did I Make Conceptual Mistakes in Deriving the Hypsometric Equation?

What is the hypsometric equation?

The hypsometric equation is a mathematical formula that relates the atmospheric pressure at two different altitudes to the temperature, gravitational acceleration, and gas constant of the Earth's atmosphere.

What is the purpose of the hypsometric equation?

The hypsometric equation is used to estimate the height of a location based on the atmospheric pressure at that location. It is also used in meteorology to calculate atmospheric stability and to determine the thickness of atmospheric layers.

How is the hypsometric equation derived?

The hypsometric equation is derived from the ideal gas law and the hydrostatic equation, which describes the relationship between pressure, density, and height in a fluid. By combining these equations, the hypsometric equation is derived.

What are the assumptions of the hypsometric equation?

The hypsometric equation assumes that the atmosphere is in hydrostatic equilibrium, meaning that the pressure at any given point is equal to the weight of the air above it. It also assumes that the temperature, gravitational acceleration, and gas constant are constant throughout the atmosphere.

What are the units used in the hypsometric equation?

The units used in the hypsometric equation depend on the specific form of the equation used, but they typically include pressure (in units of force per unit area, such as Pascals or millibars), temperature (in units of Kelvin), and height (in units of meters or feet).

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