Menfpath.

mcd

1/18/98

Mean Free Path vs Pressure and Altitude

By S.E. Van Bramer 1/18/98

Mean Free Path Equation: R. T

2 2 . d a . L. P

Variables: Gas Law Constant Avagadro's Number Temperature Collisional Cross Section Pressure R L T da P
1 8.314510. joule. K . mole 23 6.0221367. 10 . mole 1 1

298. K 3.57. 10
10.

101325. Pa

The Function

( P )

R. T 2 . . d . a LP
2.

( P ) = 7.171 10

Graph of Function P 1 . Pa , 10. Pa .. 101000. Pa

0

ln

( P ) m

10

15

20 0

2 104

4 104

6 104 P

8 104

1 105

1.2 105

Menfpath.mcd Mean Free Path vs Altitude: Equations:

M. g. ht R . T sea

1/18/98

P ht P o. e

R. T
2 2 . d a . L. P

R. T
2 2 . . d a . L. P o. e M. g. ht R . T sea

The variables: The atmospheric pressure at sea level The average molecular mass of the atmosphere: The altitude of interest (given as a matrix) The average temperature at seal level The function: ( ht ) R. T 2 . . d a L. P o. e
2. M. g. ht R . T sea

Po M ht

101325. Pa 0.02897 . kg. mole

1

3 0 . m , 20. m .. 100. 10 . m

T sea

288. K

0.015

0.01 ( ht ) 0.005

0 0 10 20 30 40 50 ht km 60 70 80 90 100

0 5 ln ( ht ) m 10 15 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 ht km 60 70 80 90 100