The earth's atmospheric pressure, P, in terms of height above sea level is often modeled by an exponential decay function. The pressure at sea level is 1013 millibars and the pressure decreases by 14% for every kilometer above sea level.

Question

(a) What is the atmospheric pressure at 50 km?

(b) Estimate the altitude h at which the atmospheric pressure equals 950 millibars.

Answer 1

.86=1e^k(1km)

so the drill is to find k

ln .86=k
k=-0.15082289

so at 50km

pressure= 1013e^(-.150*50)=.538millbars

check that.

Answer 2

nope their both wrong.