The kilopascal is a unit of measure for atmospheric pressure. Suppose the atmospheric air pressure at sea level is about 102 kilopascals. For every 1000-m increase in altitude, the pressure decreases about 11.5%. What is the approximate pressure at an altitude of 3000 m?
Solution:
At 3000 m the decrease in atmospheric pressure is three times the decrease in atmospheric pressure at 1000 m = 3 x 11.5%=34.5%
the approximate pressure at an altitude of 3000m =
102kpa - 102kpa x34.5% = 102kpa-102(0.345)kpa=66.81 kpa
