Atmospheric density calculation (of mars)

[blackdog666]

Homework Statement

gravitational constant G=6.67x10^-11 Nm^2/Kg^2, M=6.42x10^23 Kg, and R=3.40x10^6 m for mars. Calculate the atmospheric density of Mars.

Homework Equations

Density of water = 1000 Kg/m^3
Atmospheric pressure = 30 Pa (from what I've calculated)

p=M/V

The Attempt at a Solution

I just don't know where to start. I'm completely lost. I've looked at formulas online, however they all deal with temperature, and I'm 100% positive I don't need any temperature values for my calculation.

 

[cepheid]

Hi blackdog666, welcome to PF

I'm confused about what your problem is asking. Your thread title says it has to do with the "atmospheric density" of Mars, but the actual problem statement that you have posted in thread just says, "calculate the density of Mars."

A simplistic approach to the problem would be to just compute the average density, or in other words the density you would get if you have a totally uniform solid sphere. This is just given by the total mass over the total volume. You know the mass and would just have to calculate the volume.

I think you need to clarify what your problem is asking before anyone can advise you further on the best way to proceed.

 

[blackdog666]

Hi blackdog666, welcome to PF

I'm confused about what your problem is asking. Your thread title says it has to do with the "atmospheric density" of Mars, but the actual problem statement that you have posted in thread just says, "calculate the density of Mars."

A simplistic approach to the problem would be to just compute the average density, or in other words the density you would get if you have a totally uniform solid sphere. This is just given by the total mass over the total volume. You know the mass and would just have to calculate the volume.

I think you need to clarify what your problem is asking before anyone can advise you further on the best way to proceed.

Oh, sorry I meant to say calculate the atmospheric density.

 

[cepheid]

Oh, sorry I meant to say calculate the atmospheric density.

Hmm...well that's weird because your problem doesn't give you any information about Mars' atmosphere. Not only that, but the density of the atmosphere will not be constant but will change with height (due to gravity), just like on Earth.

 

[blackdog666]

Hmm...well that's weird because your problem doesn't give you any information about Mars' atmosphere. Not only that, but the density of the atmosphere will not be constant but will change with height (due to gravity), just like on Earth.

Yeah. I'm really confused. I'll ask my teacher the next time I see her, and see if maybe she left out some information.

 

[lizick]

next ?
You 'd better send her a letter to ask for an appointment
or read her website for office hours then DO it right today NOT next!
I believe this is a very good way to learn and be beeter btter
By the way your username sours the truthful relationship with me for the most part of my petlife I love all pets my latest black dog is truthful and clearly open than my hens

 

[cepheid]

next ?
You 'd better send her a letter to ask for an appointment
or read her website for office hours then DO it right today NOT next!
I believe this is a very good way to learn and be beeter btter

Well, that would certainly be true if the OP were chasing down a university prof, since they are notoriously busy. However, for all we know, the OP could be in high school, in which case he is guaranteed to see his teacher in class on a regular basis, and his class size is small enough that he can probably get one-on-one help with a problem if he tells the teacher before or after class. I think its pretty funny to just assume that OP is being apathetic when you don't have any information.