- #1
Ian Baughman
- 36
- 2
Homework Statement
If air has a density of ρ0 on the surface, calculate its density as a function of the height y for two scenarios:
(a) the temperature is constant at T0;
(b) the temperature decreases linearly T(y) = T0 − ay.
Express your results using the given variables together the gravitational acceleration g, gas constant R and air molar mass M.
I think I am making an incorrect assumption or just going about this incorrectly. Let me know if you guys see the mistake. I am just focusing on part a as of now.
Homework Equations
1) F = ma
2) pV = nRT = (m/M)RT
The Attempt at a Solution
1) First, using the ideal gas law, we know:
ρ=(pM)/(RT)
3) Assuming a "slab" of air with a height of dy and a cross-sectional area of A at surface level we can apply Newton's second law:
Fp_up - Fp_down - mg = ma
Fp_up = Fp_down + mg
pA = (p + dp)A + ρ(Ady)g
7) Form here I was able to solve the differential equation in step #5 and get:
p(y) = P0-ρ0gy