Air Density Formula:
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Definition: This calculator estimates the density of air based on atmospheric pressure, temperature, and the specific gas constant for air.
Purpose: It helps engineers, meteorologists, and scientists determine air density for applications in aerodynamics, HVAC design, and atmospheric studies.
The calculator uses the ideal gas law formula:
Where:
Explanation: Air density decreases with increasing temperature and increases with increasing pressure.
Details: Accurate air density values are crucial for aircraft performance calculations, wind turbine design, weather forecasting, and many engineering applications.
Tips: Enter the pressure in Pascals, temperature in Kelvin (default 293.15K = 20°C), and gas constant (default 287 J/kg·K for dry air). All values must be > 0.
Q1: What's the typical air density at sea level?
A: About 1.225 kg/m³ at 15°C (288.15K) and 101325 Pa (1 atm).
Q2: How does altitude affect air density?
A: Air density decreases with altitude due to decreasing pressure and often decreasing temperature.
Q3: Why use Kelvin instead of Celsius?
A: The ideal gas law requires absolute temperature (Kelvin) to avoid negative values in calculations.
Q4: When would I change the gas constant value?
A: Use 287 J/kg·K for dry air. For humid air, use a slightly lower value (285-286 J/kg·K).
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's accurate for dry air under normal conditions. For precise calculations with humid air, more complex equations are needed.