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The English unit for gas pressure is pound per square inch (psi). That measure i

ID: 548434 • Letter: T

Question

The English unit for gas pressure is pound per square inch (psi). That measure is a reading of how much force a gas exerts on each square inch of surface area of its container. At sea level standard air pressure is 14.7 psi, meaning each square inch of surface has 14.7 pounds of force exerted upon it by the atmospheric gases. This occurs because the gas molecules are pulled towards the earth by gravity. Considering a column of air above one square inch of a surface at sea level, the air in that one inch square column must have total weight of how many pounds kilograms Each answer should be entered to a precision of three significant figures.

Explanation / Answer

Pressure is defined as force per area on a surface.

1 psi pressure means there is a force of 1 pound weight on area of 1 inch 2. Hence, if at sea level standard air pressure is 14.7 psi, then it means that column of air above one square inch of surface will weigh 14.7 pounds => 14.7lb * 0.454 kg/lb= 6.67 kg

What would happen to the mass of air in a 1in2 column at a higher elevation?

As we go to higher elevation, the volume of the column of air above us will keep on decreasing. Hence, the mass of air in the column above us keeps on decreasing with elevation. So, B. decrease.

What would happen to the measured atmospheric pressure at a higher elevation?

In previous part, we have seen that the mass of air column will decrease with elevation. Hence, the force exerted by it downwards will also decrease while the area remains the same at 1 in2. Therefore, the measured atmospheric pressure will decrease. Hence, B.decrease.

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