Question

A NASA spacecraft measures the rate R of at which atmospheric pressure on Mars decreases with altitude. The result at a certain altitude is: 1 R = 0.0534 kPa km⁻1. Convert R to J*cm⁻4​.

a) 5.34 × 10³ Jcm⁻4
b) 5.34 × 10⁻3 Jcm⁻4
c) 53.4 Jcm⁻4
d) 0.534 Jcm⁻4

Answer 1

The conversion from 0.0534 kPa km⁻¹ to J cm⁻⁴ results in a value of 5.34 x 10⁻³ J cm⁻⁴.

Step-by-step explanation:

To convert the atmospheric pressure rate of change on Mars from kilopascals per kilometer to joules per cubic centimeter to the fourth power, we need to use unit conversion factors. The given rate R is 0.0534 kPa km⁻¹. Since 1 kPa is equivalent to 1000 Pa and 1 km is equivalent to 10¶ cm, we have R in Pa cm⁻¹. Therefore, R in J cm⁻⁴, using the equivalence of 1 Pa = 1 J/m³, is equivalent to 0.0534 x (1000 Pa / 1 kPa) x (1 J/m³ / 1 Pa) x (1 m³ /10¶ cm³) = 5.34 x 10⁻³ J cm⁻⁴.