Structure of earth’s atmosphere Pressure (P)

• At 5 km height, P is half of sea level pressure

• At 16 km height, P is one tenth of sea level pressure

  • 90% of atmosphere’s mass is within 16 km of earth, i.e. in the troposphere

• At 30 km height, pressure is 1/100th of sea level pressure

  • 99% of atmosphere’s mass is within 30 km of surface, i.e. in the troposphere & the lower third of the stratosphere

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