At 18,000 feet, atmospheric pressure is about half of what it is at sea level. Thus, I would suspect that at 36,000 feet atmospheric pressure would be zero. However, this isn't the case. Atmospheric pressure doesn't reach zero until infinity (for a lack of shortening this paragraph). In other words, an infinite number of feet above sea level. That's a lot farther than 36,000 feet. How is this possible?

Question

Jude Herrera

Mathematics

3 April, 07:33

At 18,000 feet, atmospheric pressure is about half of what it is at sea level. Thus, I would suspect that at 36,000 feet atmospheric pressure would be zero. However, this isn't the case. Atmospheric pressure doesn't reach zero until infinity (for a lack of shortening this paragraph). In other words, an infinite number of feet above sea level. That's a lot farther than 36,000 feet. How is this possible?

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Nigel Duffy · Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

At 18,000 feet, atmospheric pressure is about half of what it is at sea level. Thus, I would suspect that at 36,000 feet atmospheric pressure would be zero. However, this isn't the case. Atmospheric pressure doesn't reach zero until infinity (for a lack of shortening this paragraph). In other words, an infinite number of feet above sea level. That's a lot farther than 36,000 feet. How is this possible?