DENSITY OF AIR - Density is affected not only by temperature and pressure, but also by the amount of water vapor in air. Thus, the standard values are only an approximation. The Ideal Gas Law may be used to calculate density. Once again, the result is only an approximation that is most accurate at low temperature and pressure values. The density of air is the mass per unit volume of atmospheric gases. The density of air or how light it is depends on the temperature and pressure of the air.

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Density of Air

What Is the Density of Air at STP?

How the Density of Air Works

by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

What is the density of air at STP?

In order to answer the question, you need to understand what density is and how STP is defined.

Key Takeaways: Density of Air at STP

·  The value for the density of air at STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure) depends on the definition of STP. The definition of the temperature and pressure isn't actually standard, so the value depends on who you consult.

·  The ISA or International Standard Atmosphere states the density of air is 1.225 kg/m3 at sea level and at 15°C.

·  The IUPAC uses an air density of 1.2754 kg/m3 at 0 °C and 100 kPa for dry air.

·  Density is affected not only by temperature and pressure, but also by the amount of water vapor in air. Thus, the standard values are only an approximation.

·  The Ideal Gas Law may be used to calculate density. Once again, the result is only an approximation that is most accurate at low temperature and pressure values. 

The density of air is the mass per unit volume of atmospheric gases. It is denoted by the Greek letter rho, ρ.

The density of air or how light it is depends on the temperature and pressure of the air. Typically the value given for the density of air is at STP or standard temperature and pressure.

STP is one atmosphere of pressure at 0° C. Since this would be a freezing temperature at sea level, most of the time dry air is less dense than the cited value.

However, air typically contains a lot of water vapor, which would make it more dense than the cited value.

Density of Air Values

The density of dry air is 1.29 grams per liter (0.07967 pounds per cubic foot) at 32° Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) at average sea level barometric pressure (29.92 inchs of mercury or 760 millimeters).

·  At sea level and at 15°C , the density of air is 1.225 kg/m³. This is the value of the ISA or International Standard Atmosphere. In other units, this is 1225.0 g/m³, 0.0023769 slug/(cu ft), or 0.0765 lb/(cu ft).

·  The IUPAC standard of temperature and pressure (0 °C and 100 kPa), uses a dry air density of 1.2754 kg/m³.

·  At 20 °C and 101.325 kPa, the density of dry air is 1.2041 kg/m³.

·  At 70 °F and 14.696 psi, the density of dry air is 0.074887 lbm/ft³.

Affect of Altitude on Density

The density of air decreases as you gain altitude. For example, air is less dense in Denver than in Miami.

The density of air decreases as you increase temperature, providing the volume of the gas is allowed to change.

As an example, air would be expected to be less dense on a hot summer day versus a cold winter day, providing other factors remain the same.

Another example of this would be a hot air balloon rising into a cooler atmosphere.

STP Versus NTP

While STP is standard temperature and pressure, not many measured processes occur when it's freezing.

For ordinary temperatures, another common value is NTP, which stands for normal temperature and pressure. NTP is defined as air at 20^oC (293.15 K, 68^oF) and 1 atm (101.325 kN/m², 101.325 kPa) of pressure.

The average density of air at NTP is 1.204 kg/m³ (0.075 pounds per cubic foot).

Calculate the Density of Air

If you need to calculate the density of dry air, you can apply the ideal gas law. This law expresses density as a function of temperature and pressure.

Like all gas laws, it is an approximation where real gases are concerned, but is very good at low (ordinary) pressures and temperatures. Increasing temperature and pressure adds error to the calculation.

The equation is:

ρ = p / RT

where:

· ρ is the air density in kg/m³

· p is the absolute pressure in Pa

· T is the absolute temperature in K

• R is the specific gas constant for dry air in J/(kg·K) or is 287.058 J/(kg·K)

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

·   Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

·   Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

·   ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

·   Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.​

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