Homework #2 -- Vertical Variation of Air Density and Pressure and Some Common Effects on the Human Body

** Due in class Monday, February 4^th **

Write a short paper that briefly and simply explains the following:

n Why do air density and air pressure decrease as you move to higher elevations?

n Why does it become more difficult to breathe effectively at high altitudes even though the air at high altitudes still contains about 21% oxygen?

n Explain how rapid ascent and rapid decent through the atmosphere (for example, riding up or down in a high-speed elevator) can lead to “ear popping”.

Guidelines, Requirements, and Assessment:

Your first step should be to gather information on each of the three questions listed above. We have gone over the reasons why air density and pressure decrease with increasing altitude in lecture. For the last two questions, you will need to do some outside reading. There is plenty of material available on the web and in printed form in libraries. Keep the content of your paper simple. The paper should be simple enough so that someone who has never taken a class in atmospheric sciences or human anatomy can understand it. You should not have to include references or a bibliography because you are going to write the final essay in your own words based on the “general” or “common” knowledge” material that you have read.

The MAXIMUM length of your paper is one page, double spaced, with 11 point or larger font. You can adjust the margins to make the paper fit nicely onto one page, but margins should be no smaller than 0.5”. Please do not feel that you must fill one page as there is no specific penalty for a shorter paper as long as it is well-written and contains the required content. Perhaps the most important consideration in writing your paper is to write the paper so that it all flows together as a single, well-written document. In other words, you should not turn in a paper that addresses each of the topics above in three disjointed paragraphs. You are to write a paper that flows throughout, connecting the information presented into a single, engaging essay. Finally, although you should not have to be told this, you are expected to write the paper using your own wording. Do not copy sentences word for word from reference material.

Your papers will be graded for both content and presentation. Roughly 60% of the grade will be based on correctly answering or explaining the three questions listed above. The remaining 40% of your grade will be based on how well you tie your essay together into a single, smoothly flowing essay. You are expected to turn in a paper with minimal grammar and spelling errors. You will receive no points for correct grammar and spelling, but you will lose points for making errors. I suggest that you at least have a friend read over your paper before turning it in or, if necessary, work with a writing tutor.

The paper you turn in MUST be printed on one side of one sheet of paper or it will not be accepted. It should include your name and class section (32 for 9-9:50 class and 31 for 10-10:50 class) in the upper right hand corner. Your name and class section need not be double spaced. If you are having trouble fitting your name and section within the one page limit, you may neatly handwrite these in the upper right hand corner. You may include a title if you wish, but it is not required. DO NOT use a title page or any other type of cover sheet or binder as this is a waste of paper and actually makes grading more difficult.