Determining the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) values for a given altitude involves using specific formulas and considering factors like temperature and pressure lapse rates. For instance, at sea level, the ISA defines a temperature of 15C and a pressure of 1013.25 hectopascals. These baseline values change predictably with increasing altitude.
Accurate atmospheric characterization is fundamental to various fields. In aviation, it’s crucial for performance calculations, flight planning, and altimeter calibration. Meteorological applications rely on ISA values for weather forecasting and climate modeling. Furthermore, understanding atmospheric properties at different altitudes is essential in scientific research, including studies of atmospheric dynamics and the impact of altitude on physical phenomena. The concept was formalized in the early 20th century as the need for standardized atmospheric parameters for scientific and engineering purposes became increasingly apparent.