How to calculate atmospheric pressure?

[The Exestentialist]

Let's say I had the composition of an atmosphere, the mass of the planet it was on, and the diameter/density of said planet. First, what else, if anything, would I need to find the atmospheric pressure? Second, what would the equation for doing so be?

 

[DrStupid]

You need the mass of the atmosphere.

 

[The Exestentialist]

You need the mass of the atmosphere.

By composition, I meant quantity of each gas.

 

[jbriggs444]

By composition, I meant quantity of each gas.

If you know the total mass of each gas separately then you know the total mass of all the gasses put together.

If you know only the percentages (by weight) then what you know will not help you find the pressure you seek.

 

[Chestermiller]

To get the pressure at the surface, which is usually referred to as the atmospheric pressure, just divide the weight of the atmosphere mg by the total surface area of the planet.

 

[The Exestentialist]

To get the pressure at the surface, which is usually referred to as the atmospheric pressure, just divide the weight of the atmosphere mg by the total surface area of the planet.

In what units? I tried this with Earth's atmosphere and I didn't get the right answer.

 

[jbriggs444]

In what units? I tried this with Earth's atmosphere and I didn't get the right answer.

What units did you use for the weight of the Earth's atmosphere and the surface area of the planet and what answer did you get?

 

[The Exestentialist]

What units did you use for the weight of the Earth's atmosphere and the surface area of the planet and what answer did you get?

I used 5.1x10¹⁸ kg for the atmosphere's weight and 4*π*12,742,000² m² for the surface area of the Earth. I got 2,499,684 kg/m²

 

[jbriggs444]

I used 5.1x10¹⁸ kg for the atmosphere's weight and 4*π*12,742,000² m² for the surface area of the Earth. I got 2,499,684 kg/m²

Check your arithmetic and check your figure for the radius of the Earth in meters. I get around 11,000 kg/m² on the back of an envelope.

Edit: 7 significant figures of computed output on an input that is only stated to 2 digits reflects more precision than is justified.

 

[The Exestentialist]

Radius. Sigh. I hate when I make stupid mistakes like that. Thank you all for your help.

 

[Chestermiller]

In what units? I tried this with Earth's atmosphere and I didn't get the right answer.

Pa

 

[Chestermiller]

Check your arithmetic and check your figure for the radius of the Earth in meters. I get around 11,000 kg/m² on the back of an envelope.

Edit: 7 significant figures of computed output on an input that is only stated to 2 digits reflects more precision than is justified.

Don't forget to multiply by g.

 

[jbriggs444]

Don't forget to multiply by g.

I was assuming kilograms-force, but yes, I agree.