Density Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

DENSITY

Contents
INTRODUCTION 43
DENSITY EXPRESSIONS 43
EFFECT OF CHANGES OF PRESSURE ON DENSITY 44
EFFECT OF CHANGE OF TEMPERATURE ON DENSITY 44
EFFECT OF CHANGE OF HUMIDITY ON DENSITY 44
EFFECT OF CHANGE OF ALTITUDE ON DENSITY 44
EFFECT OF CHANGE OF LATITUDE ON DENSITY 45
EFFECT OF CHANGES IN DENSITY ON AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS 45
QUESTIONS 47
ANSWERS 48

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Chapter 3 Density

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Density Chapter 3

INTRODUCTION

ensity may be defined as mass per unit volume and may be expressed in three main ways

¾ rammes per cubic metre. (g m3)

¾ A percentage of the standard surface density - relative density.

C¾ The altitude in the standard atmosphere to which the observed density corresponds
]
- density altitude.

DENSITY EXPRESSIONS

Relative Density
Relative density is the prevailing density, expressed as a percentage of mean sea level density

→
in ISA. For example, if the prevailing density is 1000 g m3, then comparing this to the ISA mean
sea level density of 1225 g m3 we can say that the prevailing density is 82 of ISA mean sea
level density. To put it another way, if the relative density is 50 , then this would mean that the
prevailing density is half that of mean sea level density is ISA. Therefore the prevailing density
is 612 g m3

•D•↑_
Density Altitude
ensity altitude is the altitude in the ISA at which the current observed density would occur.
For example, if the prevailing or observed density is 612 g m3 then this represents a density that
is found at approximately 20,000 ft in ISA. Therefore, the location of the observed density is
described as having a density altitude of 20,000 ft.

Figure 3.1 Comparing observed density to ISA density

“ ensity Altitude” can be calculated by ad usting the pressure altitude for non-standard
temperature.

☆ DENSITY ALTITUDE = PRESSURE ALTITUDE +/- (ISA DEVIATION X 118.8) ☆

,An increase in temperature and an increase in humidity cause a reduction in air density.•Thus
in hot and humid conditions the density altitude at a particular location may be significantly
higher than the actual altitude.

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Chapter 3 Density

EFFECT OF CHANGES OF PRESSURE ON DENSITY

As pressure is increased, the air will be compressed which reduces the volume and increases the
density. Likewise, if pressure is decreased, the air will expand which will increase the volume
and decrease the density. We can therefore say that

F-
DENSITY IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO PRESSURE

In the atmosphere density can be decreased by raising the volume of air to a greater height
since we know that pressure decreases with an increase in altitude. Similarly, density can be
increased by lowering the volume of air to a lower height.

EFFECT OF CHANGE OF TEMPERATURE ON DENSITY

If a volume of air is heated it will expand and the mass of air contained in unit volume will be
less. Thus density will decrease with an increase in temperature and we can say

DENSITY IS INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL TO TEMPERATURE

EFFECT OF CHANGE OF HUMIDITY ON DENSITY

Humidity is a measure of the water vapour content of the air. Humid air is lighter, or less dense,
than dry air. This is due to the fact that a molecule of water, H2 , weighs less than molecules
of Nitrogen (N2) and xygen ( 2). Therefore, an atmosphere with very high humidity will
have a lower total mass than a dry atmosphere. Thus density will decrease with an increase in
humidity and we can say

I DENSITY IS INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL TO HUMIDITY

EFFECT OF CHANGE OF ALTITUDE ON DENSITY

As altitude increases, the effect of pressure decreasing causes density to fall despite the fact
that temperature decreases. Therefore, the effect is for the density to decrease with an increase
of height. You can appreciate this because at high altitudes, pilots and mountaineers require
supplemental oxygen to breathe simply because there isn’t much air in the upper atmosphere.
The information below simply shows you that at 20,000 ft the density of the air is almost half of
what is at mean sea level. Mean sea level density is approximately 1225g m3 therefore at 20,000
ft density is 612 g m3

(ρ 100 at sea level, 50 at 20,000 ft, 25 at 40,000 ft and 10 at 60,000 ft)

ensity will change by 1 for a 3°C change in temperature or a 10 hPa change in pressure.

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 Density Chapter 3

EFFECT OF CHANGE OF LATITUDE ON DENSITY

=É
eAlong the surface of the earth density will be higher at the poles than at the equator. This

why
is because the surface pressure at the poles is relatively higher than the equator and because

"•sh⇐←É
the temperature is much colder than at the equator. Therefore, along the surface of the earth
density increases with increasing latitude.

Above 26,000 ft the effect is reversed. At high altitudes above the equator the temperature is
relatively low and the pressure relatively high, therefore at high altitudes above the equator
density is higher than at high altitudes above the poles. Therefore, density increases with
decreasing latitude.

Figure 3.2 The Effect of Latitude on Density.

EFFECT OF CHANGES IN DENSITY ON AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS

 Accuracy of aircraft instruments - Mach meters, ASIs.

 Aircraft and engine performance - low density will reduce lift, increase take off run,
reduce maximum take off weight.
2
(L = CL ½ ρ V S)

Where L = Lift
CL = Coefficient of Lift
ρ = Density
V = TAS
S = Wing area

Airfields affected would be:

High Denver Nairobi Saana

Hot Bahrain Khartoum Singapore

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