Answer:
A) To find the air pressure at sea level, we can substitute n = 0 into the given formula:
P = 1013 x 0.88(0)
P = 0
Therefore, the air pressure at sea level is 0 millibars.
B) To find the percentage by which the air pressure decreases for each kilometer above sea level, we can compare the air pressure at two different altitudes. Let's consider an altitude of n kilometers and an altitude of (n + 1) kilometers.
For the altitude of n kilometers:
P1 = 1013 x 0.88n
For the altitude of (n + 1) kilometers:
P2 = 1013 x 0.88(n + 1)
To find the percentage decrease, we can use the formula:
Percentage decrease = [(P1 - P2) / P1] x 100
Substituting the values of P1 and P2:
Percentage decrease = [(1013 x 0.88n) - (1013 x 0.88(n + 1))] / (1013 x 0.88n) x 100
Simplifying the expression:
Percentage decrease = [1013 x 0.88n - 1013 x 0.88n - 1013 x 0.88] / (1013 x 0.88n) x 100
Percentage decrease = (- 1013 x 0.88) / (1013 x 0.88n) x 100
Percentage decrease = (-1) / n x 100
Percentage decrease = -100 / n
Therefore, the air pressure decreases by 100/n percent for each kilometer above sea level.
Explanation: