How Do You Convert Atmospheric Pressure from Atm to PSI at High Altitudes?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting atmospheric pressure from atmospheres (atm) to pounds per square inch (psi) at high altitudes, specifically at 35,000 feet where the atmospheric pressure is noted to be less than 0.500 atm.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need for conversion factors and explore how to set up the conversion from atm to psi. Some participants suggest using the known value of atmospheric pressure at sea level (14.7 psi) to facilitate the conversion, while others emphasize the importance of understanding the definitions of the units involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering different perspectives on the conversion process. There is acknowledgment of the need for clarity in the definitions and methods for converting between units, but no consensus has been reached on a specific approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with the assumption that atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude and are considering how to accurately apply conversion factors in this context.

SanSan
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I have an altitude to psi problem that I can't quite figure out. I know I have to use conversions, but I'm not sure how to set them up.

At an altitude of 35,000 ft, atmospheric pressure is less than 0.500 atm. Convert this pressure to pounds per square inch (psi).
 
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Atmosphere pressure is approximately 14.7 psi at sea level .

So if you know that atmospheric pressure at a specified altitude is 0.5 sea level value then pressure in psi = 14.7 * 0.5 .

Answer 7.35 psi .

nb: The 14.7 psi pressure at sea level is commonly referred to as ' one atmosphere ' .
So two atmospheres = 29.4 psi . Three atmospheres = 44.1 psi etc .
 
Nidum said:
Atmosphere pressure is approximately 14.7 psi at sea level .

So if you know that atmospheric pressure at a specified altitude is 0.5 sea level value then pressure in psi = 14.7 * 0.5 .

Answer 7.35 psi .
Thank you for your help. I misinterpreted the question.
 
Actually it would be better to look for the definitions of atm and psi and see how to convert between them using conversion factors. While there is nothing with the approach suggested by Nidum, using conversion factors is much more universal and allows conversion between any compatible units.

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FHSST_Physics/Units/How_to_Change
 

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