Assume that the atmosphere has a temperature of K that is independent of height.

a) At what altitude does the the oxygen molecules' contribution to the pressure (this is called the partial pressure of the oxygen) fall to one half of its sea level value? You will need the molecular weight of oxygen (32 g/mole). Give your answer in kilometers.

Altitude= km

b) Do the same calculation for hydrogen (molecular weight = 2 g/mole).

Altitude= km Comment:
This problem explains why the Earth has little hydrogen in its atmosphere. Hydrogen molecules make it to much higher altitude, and escape much more readily than oxygen molecules.