Bar

Definition

A bar is a unit of pressure defined as 100,000 pascals. It is commonly used in atmospheric science to measure atmospheric pressure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 1 bar is approximately equal to the average atmospheric pressure at sea level on Earth.
2. Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, meaning there are fewer bars at higher elevations.
3. The term 'millibar' (mbar) is often used in meteorology and equals one-thousandth of a bar.
4. Standard atmospheric pressure is often approximated as 1.01325 bars.
5. Instruments called barometers are used to measure atmospheric pressure in bars or millibars.

Review Questions

• What is the approximate value of 1 bar in pascals?
• How does atmospheric pressure change with altitude?
• What tool is used to measure atmospheric pressure?

Related terms

Pascal: The SI unit of pressure, defined as one newton per square meter.

Millibar: A unit of pressure equal to one-thousandth of a bar, commonly used in meteorology.

Barometer: An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.