Thermodynamics: Air pressure at 3000m above sea level

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the air pressure at 3000 meters above sea level, considering the molecular weight of air and a constant ambient temperature. The original poster mentions the Stokes-Einstein equation and its connection to Brownian motion, indicating a potential misunderstanding of its application in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relevance of the Stokes-Einstein equation and Brownian motion to the problem. One participant questions the relationship between pressure and elevation in terms of hydrostatics, suggesting a derivative approach.

Discussion Status

Some participants have attempted to solve the problem using the barometric formula, while others are exploring the theoretical implications of Brownian motion. There is acknowledgment of differing approaches, but no consensus has been reached regarding the application of Brownian motion theory.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is instructed to use Brownian motion theory, which they find challenging to connect with the problem at hand. There is a mention of specific calculations related to atmospheric pressure at sea level.

mikeclinton
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Hello all! Can you please provide some guidance with this problem?

1. Homework Statement

Calculate the air pressure at 3000m above sea level assuming that the molecular weight of air is 29 and the ambient temperature is constant against height.

Homework Equations


Stokes-Einstein equation. In fact, brownian motion was the focus of the class but I fail to understand how it can be applied to the problem above.

Thank you! Any help is much appreciated!
 
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mikeclinton said:
Hello all! Can you please provide some guidance with this problem?

1. Homework Statement

Calculate the air pressure at 3000m above sea level assuming that the molecular weight of air is 29 and the ambient temperature is constant against height.

Homework Equations


Stokes-Einstein equation. In fact, brownian motion was the focus of the class but I fail to understand how it can be applied to the problem above.

Thank you! Any help is much appreciated!
Have you studied hydrostatics yet? In terms of density, what is the derivative of pressure with respect to elevation?

Chet
 
Hello Chet, thank you for your reply! I have in fact managed to solve the problem using the barometric formula (if my calculations are correct P=533.04 with sea level atmospheric pressure set at 100kPa). However, our teacher instructed us to utilize Brownian motion theory; I'm not too familiar with it and thus can't see how it is relevant here.
 
mikeclinton said:
Hello Chet, thank you for your reply! I have in fact managed to solve the problem using the barometric formula (if my calculations are correct P=533.04 with sea level atmospheric pressure set at 100kPa). However, our teacher instructed us to utilize Brownian motion theory; I'm not too familiar with it and thus can't see how it is relevant here.
Sorry. I can't help you there.

Chet
 
Thanks anyway!
 

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