Total mass of the earth's atmosphere

[lydigihome]

Homework Statement

given: atmospheric pressure near the Earth's surfact=100kPa
density of the air near the Earth's surfact=1.3kg/m^-3
radius of the earth=6400km


the best estimate for the total mass of the Earth's atmosphere:

5x10¹⁸ kg.

how to work out this value??

Homework Equations

I don't know..

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't know..

 

[Vaal]

One kPa is a kN/m². That means that for every m² of the Earth's surface there must be 100kN of atmospheric weight. Convert this force into mass using F=ma (the atmosphere is thin enough that you can assume a=9.8m/s² for its entirety and still get a reasonably accurate answer) and then multiply that mass by the total surface area of the Earth to get the total mass. Also, you are going to have to make sure your units work out as there are a few kilos in there that could mess things up.

Hope this didn't come too late.