Question

use the graph on the right to answer the following questions. a. estimate the pressure at altitudes of 9,000 feet, 18,000 feet, and 29,000 feet. b. estimate the altitudes at which the pressure is 23, 19, and 11 inches of mercury. c. estimating beyond the boundaries of the graph, at what altitude do you think the atmospheric pressure reaches 5 inches of mercury? is there an altitude at which the pressure is exactly zero? explain your reasoning. a. the pressure at 9,000 feet is inches of mercury, the pressure at 18,000 feet is inches of mercury, and the pressure at 29,000 feet is inches of mercury. (round to the nearest integer as needed.)

Explanation:

Step1: Locate 9000 - feet on x - axis

Find the point on the graph corresponding to 9000 feet on the altitude (x - axis) and read the pressure value on the y - axis.

Step2: Locate 18000 - feet on x - axis

Find the point on the graph corresponding to 18000 feet on the altitude (x - axis) and read the pressure value on the y - axis.

Step3: Locate 29000 - feet on x - axis

Find the point on the graph corresponding to 29000 feet on the altitude (x - axis) and read the pressure value on the y - axis.

Step4: Locate 23 inches on y - axis for part b

Find the point on the graph corresponding to 23 inches of mercury on the pressure (y - axis) and read the altitude value on the x - axis.

Step5: Locate 19 inches on y - axis for part b

Find the point on the graph corresponding to 19 inches of mercury on the pressure (y - axis) and read the altitude value on the x - axis.

Step6: Locate 11 inches on y - axis for part b

Find the point on the graph corresponding to 11 inches of mercury on the pressure (y - axis) and read the altitude value on the x - axis.

Step7: Extrapolate for 5 inches in part c

Extend the trend of the graph beyond its boundaries to estimate the altitude when the pressure is 5 inches of mercury.

Step8: Analyze pressure - zero situation

Consider the nature of the atmosphere and the graph's trend to determine if pressure can be zero.

Answer:

a. By looking at the graph:

• For an altitude of 9000 feet, the pressure is approximately 19 inches of mercury.
• For an altitude of 18000 feet, the pressure is approximately 11 inches of mercury.
• For an altitude of 29000 feet, the pressure is approximately 6 inches of mercury.

b.

• When the pressure is 23 inches of mercury, the altitude is approximately 3000 feet.
• When the pressure is 19 inches of mercury, the altitude is approximately 9000 feet.
• When the pressure is 11 inches of mercury, the altitude is approximately 18000 feet.

c. By extrapolating the graph, the altitude at which the atmospheric pressure reaches 5 inches of mercury is likely around 35000 feet. There is no altitude at which the pressure is exactly zero. The graph shows a continuous decrease in pressure with increasing altitude, but the atmosphere extends infinitely in theory, and pressure approaches zero but never actually reaches it because there are always some gas molecules present, no matter how sparse, in the Earth's atmosphere.