The density of the atmosphere at sea level is `1.29 kg//m^(3)`. Assume that it does not change with altitude. Then how high would the atmosphere extend ? `g=9.8 ms^(-2)`. Atmospheric pressure `=1.013 xx 10^(5) Pa`.

Explanation

We use Eq.10.7
`pgh=1.29 kg m^-3 times 9.8 ms^2 times h m=1.01 times 10^5 Pa`
`therefore h=7989 m=8km`
In reality the density of air decreases with height. So does the value of g. The atmospheric cover extends with decreasing pressure over 100km. we should also note that the sea level atmospheric pressure is not always 760 nm of Hg. A drop in the Hg level by 10mm or more is a sign of an approaching storm.