# Need help with Barometric Formulas

1. May 19, 2009

### seasnake

I am trying to work with Equation Two from the Wiki page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barometric_formula using the figures in the table provided on the page.

The problem is that the table does not contain values for all the variables such as for P and values for h (and perhaps other variables in the exponential power, namely L_b).

I would like to be able to calculate the formula using actual data. If someone can help me find actual data information for the formulas so I can understand how the formula works, I'd appreciate it. Website addresses explaining the equations way better than Wiki does would be appreciated if they aptly display the numbers used and show the mathematics.

I need help with is understanding the following:

1. is it possible (allowed) for P to be negative;
2. is h always larger, or smaller, than h_b;
3. what is the difference between h and h_b (I dont' quite understand what h_b is);
4. is L_b constant if M, R*, and L_b are defined as constants

Last edited: May 19, 2009