Concept explainers
We can understand how pressure in water depends on depth by considering a stack of bricks. The pressure below the bottom brick is determined by the weight of the entire stack. Halfway up the stack, the pressure is half as great as it is at the bottom because the weight of the bricks above is half as great. To explain atmospheric pressure, we should consider compressible bricks, like foam rubber. Why is this so?
To Explain: The atmospheric pressure.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
Atmospheric pressure is also called barometric pressure and is defined as the pressure due to the air column. The standard atmosphere is the unit of pressure and can be defined as
The air compresses under pressure, unlike the bricks. This increase in pressure also increases the density of air at the bottom. This difference in density causes more of the atmospheric mass towards the ground than towards outer space. If the bricks were replaced by air or compressed under the pressure, the density at various height would better model that of the atmosphere.
Chapter 20 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, Vol. 1 (Chs 1-21) (4th Edition)
An Introduction to Thermal Physics
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics (14th Edition)PhysicsISBN:9780133969290Author:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. FreedmanPublisher:PEARSONIntroduction To Quantum MechanicsPhysicsISBN:9781107189638Author:Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Physics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningLecture- Tutorials for Introductory AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9780321820464Author:Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina BrissendenPublisher:Addison-WesleyCollege Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio...PhysicsISBN:9780134609034Author:Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart FieldPublisher:PEARSON