Question

At 18,000 feet, atmospheric pressure is about half of what it is at sea level. Thus, I would suspect that at 36,000 feet atmospheric pressure would be zero. However, this isn't the case. Atmospheric pressure doesn't reach zero until infinity (for a lack of shortening this paragraph). In other words, an infinite number of feet above sea level. That's a lot farther than 36,000 feet. How is this possible?

Answer 1

Explanation:

At 18,000 feet, atmospheric pressure is about half of what it is at sea level. Thus, I would suspect that at 36,000 feet atmospheric pressure would be zero. However, this isn't the case. Atmospheric pressure doesn't reach zero until infinity (for a lack of shortening this paragraph). In other words, an infinite number of feet above sea level. That's a lot farther than 36,000 feet. How is this possible?