Density and Air pressure Earth Science II (Session 2)
Ciencias de la Tierra II Introduction There are physical factors that influence the atmosphere: Density of the air Pressure of the air Temperature of the air Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Density Air density: is the amount of molecules the air contains in a volume unit. Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Air density (gases) is reported in units of g/L. The factors that affect air density are: Temperature Pressure Water Vapor Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Pressure Air pressure: is the force that air exerts in a certain area. Pressure = Force / Area Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Air pressure (gases) is reported in units of g/cm2. The factors that affect air presssure are: Temperature Density Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Pressure More temperature more pressure (in a closed system like a balloon) Increased temperatures in the atmosphere results in lower pressure. (hint…is heated air heavy or light?) More Density results in more pressure Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Density More temperature less density More pressure more density More molecular weight more density Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Atmospheric pressure increases when air density increases and altitude decreases. So where is there more pressure, at the base of Mount Fuji or at the top? Where is the air more dense, at the base or the top? What are some things that happen to our bodies as we climb this mountain? Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Air Pressure Let´s check out this website: http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/air_pressure/balloon.html Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Air Pressure When we blow up a balloon …. Does it expand? What is happening to the air pressure inside the balloon versus outside the baloon? Why does it make a noise when it's popped? Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Answer… The air pressure inside the balloon slowly becomes greater than the air pressure outside the balloon. When the balloon is popped, the air escapes instantly. The sound you hear is from the molecules of air inside the balloon coming into sudden contact with the molecules of air outside the balloon. Ciencias de la Tierra II
Ciencias de la Tierra II Bibliography DiSpezio, M. et al. (1999). Science Insights: Exploring Earth and Space. first ed. USA: Prentice Hall. http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/air_pressure/index.html Ciencias de la Tierra II