Atmospheric pressure is half its sea-level value at an altitude of
A)1 km (3300 ft).
B)5 km (16,400 ft).
C)20 km (12.4 mi).
D)100 km (62 mi).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the standard atmosphere model, atmospheric pressure decreases with an increase in altitude at a geometric rate. The pressure is roughly halved for every 5-km increase in altitude. Therefore, the atmospheric pressure would be half its sea-level value at an altitude of 5 km.

Atmospheric Pressure Is Half Its Sea-Level Value at an Altitude