Description
Return hydrostatic layer mass per area.
Atmospheric state formulas depend on absolute temperature, pressure reference, water mass/volume bases and layer assumptions. Local adiabatic, hydrostatic or precipitation terms can illustrate a supplied model without reconstructing an actual profile, validating an instrument or predicting weather hazards.
Return hydrostatic layer mass per area.
When to use this tool
Use Pressure Layer Mass Factor when checking the stated atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity or water-basis term.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter bottomPressure, topPressure, gravity. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read massPerArea. Use the output convention below.
Return hydrostatic layer mass per area. Require bottomPressure >= topPressure >= 0 and gravity > 0; massPerArea = (bottom-top)/gravity.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| bottomPressure | Bottom Pressure Unit: Pa. | Required. Finite number. |
| topPressure | Top Pressure Unit: Pa. | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| gravity | Gravity Unit: m/s2. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| massPerArea | Mass Per Area Unit: kg/m2. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"bottomPressure": 100000,
"topPressure": 90000,
"gravity": 10
},
"output": {
"massPerArea": 1000
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Pressure in Pa and gravity in m/s² give kg/m²; hydrostatic and common-pressure-reference assumptions require independent justification.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified observations and an appropriate complete thermodynamic/profile analysis with explicit units, references and moisture assumptions for meteorological conclusions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Pressure Layer Log Midpoint
Return geometric midpoint pressure and signed logarithmic thickness.
- Atmospheric Science: Pressure Thickness Log Layer Mean
Return logarithmic mean pressure across a layer.