The total amount of solar radiation is absorbed, sprinkled, and reflected by atmospheric air, molecules, and clouds before reaching the ground. It directly impacts the earth’s radiation budget. However direct and indirect radiation is a factor in global warming and the atmospheric depth varies accordingly. To know how much is an atmosphere in depth, we must know the pressure under water as these are interrelated. Let’s also find out the pressure below sea level.
1. How much is an Atmosphere in Depth?
The depth and thickness of the atmosphere differ on the basis of geographic location and topography. The Earth’s atmosphere is very deep and thick over the equator. It could also be the thickest at sea level. How much is an atmosphere in depth? The atmospheric depth is 30 km per 6400 km, which is 0.5% of the earth’s radius. (See What is the Difference Between a Sea and Ocean?)
2. What is the Pressure under Water Called?
Once you go deep inside the water, the pressure of the water increases. The pressure underwater is called hydrostatic pressure. This means the more water above you, the more it pushes against you. The water not only pushes down above you but also from all sides. The force applied upwards is called buoyancy. When it reaches 20 metres deep, the pressure is already 3 atmospheres and keeps on increasing. The pressure underwater increases at the rate of 1 atmosphere for every 10 metres of depth. (See What are the Factors Pressure depends on?)
3. What is the Pressure below Sea Level?
The pressure below sea level is 14.6 pounds per square inch. When someone dives underwater, the initial atmospheric pressure increases. (See How to Build a Tunnel Underwater?)
4. How is the Atmosphere’s Depth measured?
The atmospheric pressure is measured with a barometer. The column of mercury in a glass tube rises or falls as the weight of the atmosphere changes. Meteorologists say atmospheric pressure is defined by how mercury rises.
5. How is Atmospheric Pressure Related to Altitude?
Atmospheric pressure falls when the altitude increases. Must see Is Pressure Altitude the Same as True Altitude?
6. How Deep can Under Water Divers go in a Single Breath?
The utmost depth a diver can reach in a single breath is 702 feet, which is approximately 213.9 metres, which is the record set in 2007 by Herbert Nitsch. He has the record for the deepest dive without oxygen, reaching a depth of 831 feet. (See How to find Current Barometric Pressure near you?)
7. What is the Pressure below Sea Level over 50 Feet?
The pressure below sea level at a depth of 50 feet underwater is 36.95 pounds per square. (See Depth of Water Needed to Float Clear of the Bottom)
8. Can Human Bones break due to Pressure Under Water?
The human bone has a breaking strength of approximately 11159 kg per square inch of pressure under water. This would imply that we can dive to about 35.5 km depth before the bone crushes. This is three times as deep as the deepest point in the ocean, so generally, it’s not possible. (See How many bones in the human body?)
9. Can you dive in Titanic under Pressure under Water?
Any recreational diver can dive in around 130 feet safely. However, the Titanic sits beneath 2.3 miles of water. It is difficult to dive on the Titanic as the underwater pressure stays high.
It can cause breathing issues at different levels. Water is more solid than air. The diver’s bodies increase by one atmosphere for every 33 feet of depth. (See How Did the “Unsinkable” Titanic Sink?)
Researchers don’t go deep inside the ocean because of the pressure under water. The sea is very deep. The typical ocean depth is 3688 meters or roughly 12,100 feet. Every ten metres or more, the atmospheric pressure rises. Hope you are clear about how much is an atmosphere in depth and how pressure changes with height.
