How to Calculate the Scale of Venus's Atmosphere Using the Barometer Equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the scale height of Venus's atmosphere using the barometer equation, focusing on the properties of CO2 and the conditions on Venus. Participants explore the mathematical approach to derive the height at which pressure drops to 1/e of the surface pressure, considering the relevant physical constants and parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states the need to use the barometer equation, noting the mean molecular weight of CO2 and the surface temperature of Venus.
  • Another participant calculates the gravitational acceleration on Venus and expresses confusion about the mass of the gas needed for the calculations.
  • A participant later clarifies that the mass (M) in the equation refers to the mass of the gas itself, leading to a calculation involving the atomic mass of CO2.
  • One participant arrives at a calculated height of 6.37E-5m but questions the correctness of this result, particularly in relation to the small value of 1/e.
  • Another participant requests further assistance, indicating ongoing uncertainty in the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with participants expressing confusion about the calculations and the interpretation of variables in the barometer equation. There is no consensus on the correctness of the final height calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully clarified the assumptions regarding the mass of the gas and how to apply the barometer equation correctly. There are unresolved mathematical steps related to the calculation of M and the interpretation of the results.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for those interested in atmospheric physics, particularly in the context of planetary atmospheres and the application of the barometer equation in calculations.

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Venus's atmosphere is made up of CO2 which has a mean molecular weight of 44 atomic mass units. Given that the lower planetary temperature is 730K, use the barometer equation to determine the scale of Venus's atmosphere (the height at which pressure drops to 1/e of the surface pressure. Take the mass and radius of Venus to be 4.8E24kg and 6050km respectively

----------------------------------------------------

P = Ps e^(-Mgh/RT)

I need to find h

where Ps is surface pressure. The first thing I did was find g of Venus using a gravitational equation and I got 8.75ms-2.

R and T are simple. M is problematic... Wouldn't I need the total mass of all the CO2 gas?

And I can cancel out the P and Ps because I know that P is Ps x (1/e). So the Ps cancels and I'm left with 1/e on the left side. However when I anti-log I'm left with a -1, so if I even get to finding the height it would end up being negative.

I'm doing something horrible wrong here but I don't what.

Help please.
 
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K so I've been a stupid boy again and I forgot the other negative on the right side. Now all I have is M to solve... How do I get M? M is the masses of the gas CO2 right? But I must have like trillions of CO2 molecules all with molecular mass 44... What do I do?
 
K I looked somewhere and it said the M is just the mass of the gas... so I assume that if one atomic mass is of the order 1.64E-27, then I multiply by 44.

My final answer for h is 6.37E-5m.

Is this correct? I know 1/e is a small number anyway.. but is it?
 
Any help for this one?
 

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