weight of air

[Peachtree]

A column of air 1" square & 600 miles high would weigh how much?

[bob_builder]

I got the 600 miles high bit...but the rest of the dimensions are beyond by knowledge

[gen2]

A quote mark is a ", and &amp is an ampersand so the question translates into:

A column of air 1"; square & 600 miles high would weigh how much?

My problem is not with the units, but where is it being weighed? If on earth, then 600 miles takes it well above the earth's surface where there will be reduced gravity, reduced pressure, and reduced temperature. All of these will affect the answer.

[gen2]

If the question does indeed apply to earth and the air is allowed to expand and cool to stabilise with its surroundings, then 600 miles effectively takes in the entire atmosphere. The pressure exerted by this column of air as measured at the earth's surface is approximately 14 lb/sq in. A 1 square inch column of air in the earth's atmosphere therefore weighs 14 lb.

To how many decimal places do you require your answer?

[gen2]

Peachtree, I seem to have been wasting my time answering this as I now find it has already been answered on a duplicate posting. A simple message on here would have alerted me to that and saved me time and effort. I don't mind offering help. but no point to it if someone else has already done so.

[mibn2cweus]

gen2, I cannot speak for Peachtree but I read both threads and I rather liked your answer.