Assume that the Earth’s atmosphere has a uniform temperature of 20°C and uniform composition, with an effective molar mass of 28.9 g/mol.
(a) Show that the number density of molecules depends on height according to nv(y) = nOe –mgy/kBT Where n0 is the number density at sea level, where y = 0. This result is called the law of atmospheres.
(b) Commercial jetliners typically cruise at an altitude of 11.0 km. Find the ratio of the atmospheric density there to the density at sea level.