I believe this theory posits that atmospheric temperature is a function of the mass of the atmosphere, more or less. If the atmosphere is cooler, it becomes more dense, not as thick, but not much change in pressure - and maybe, with a given mass, slightly HIGHER pressure.
I do agree, more energy in results in higher temperature, but I don;t think the temperature increase follows from pressure increase. The volume of atmosphere around a planet is more variable than the pressure at the bottom of the atmosphere. The pressure at the bottom of the atmosphere is directly a function of the mass of atmosphere above a unit of area.
Sorry, there is no cheating PV=nRT. n and R are constants. If pressure rises, temperature HAS to rise. This is very basic physics and there is no cheating it. I am an engineer, not a scientist, so I will be happy to have a physicist correct me if I am wrong. In that absence, I am hanging my hat on PV=nRT.
You are absolutely correct that the lowest level of the atmosphere experiences the highest pressure. You can climb mount Everest and see that the air is very low pressure there compared to air at sea level.
But that is not the question is it? The question is, what is causing the CHANGES to planetary temperature. And according to this study, the change comes from increased solar activity causing the atmosphere to increase in pressure. The air at sea level will still be the most dense, but now it is at a higher pressure than when the solar radiation hit.
You can’t cheat PV=nRT.
Sorry, there is no cheating PV=nRT. n and R are constants. If pressure rises, temperature HAS to rise. This is very basic physics and there is no cheating it. I am an engineer, not a scientist, so I will be happy to have a physicist correct me if I am wrong. In that absence, I am hanging my hat on PV=nRT.
You are absolutely correct that the lowest level of the atmosphere experiences the highest pressure. You can climb mount Everest and see that the air is very low pressure there compared to air at sea level.
But that is not the question is it? The question is, what is causing the CHANGES to planetary temperature. And according to this study, the change comes from increased solar activity causing the atmosphere to increase in pressure. The air at sea level will still be the most dense, but now it is at a higher pressure than when the solar radiation hit.
You can’t cheat PV=nRT.
Height of altitude/density of atmosphere at the orbital altitude of the ISS changes in relation to the solar energy output. The atmosphere expands vertically with addition of heat energy. The pressure rise is small with the most pronounced effect a vertical expansion of the Earth’s gas envelope.
The most variable factor in solar output is within the UV spectrum (15%) tied to sunspot and flare production at solar maximum. During solar maximum the ISS suffers more drag from the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in an increased rate of drop in it’s orbital altitude. More effort is directed toward orbital correction from resupply missions during these periods of the Sun’s activity peak.