Question

How do scientists calculate the mass of the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Hint: Atmosphere refers to the layer of gas which surrounds the Earth as well as other material bodies which are held by gravity. Atmosphere mass is the pressure which is at the surface of the Earth considered to be lower than the sea pressure since there is elevation of land.

Complete answer:
 Atmosphere is considered to be a set of layers of gases which surround the planets as well other material bodies which are held due to gravitational force. If we consider the total atmospheric mass there is about 99 percent of atmospheric mass which is located at 32 km above the surface of the Earth. There is variation in the atmospheric layers due to temperature.
 In order to calculate the atmospheric pressure. The average pressure needs to take in consideration which is 14.7 lb/sq inch. The radius of the Earth is 3964 miles which is about $2.5116 \times {10^8}$. The Earth’s surface area is $7.927 \times {10^{17}}$ square inches.
Mass of Atmosphere = The radius of the Earth $ \times $ Average atmospheric pressure
$ = 7.927 \times {10^{17}} \times 14.7$
$ = 1.65 \times {10^{19}}$ pounds
So, the mass of the atmosphere is $1.65 \times {10^{19}}$pounds.

Note:Atmosphere refers to the layer of gas which surrounds the Earth as well as other material bodies which are held by gravity. Atmosphere mass is the pressure which is at the surface of the Earth considered to be lower than the sea pressure since there is elevation of land. In order to calculate the atmospheric pressure. The average pressure needs to be taken into consideration which is 14.7 lb/sq inch.