dave long dlsilcomcom else equal terminal velocity inversely proportional square root air density air density drops pretty quickly really something digging math think involves calculus integrate amount mass column atmosphere trails chemistry types method dealing question without dragging calculus suppose atmosphere mainly affected gravity resulting potential energy mass linear height h mgh relative concentrations two different packets air equilibrium height half mass one half mass amount flowing one balances amount flowing opposite direction0 differing heights greater percentage higher air tends descend percentage lower air ascends order two flows balance higher packet must contain less air lower mass balance flows corresponds thusly high percentage thin air low percentage dense air rates exponential energy differences1 theoretically expect exponential decay height compensate go practice dave 0 well balance chemical equilibria seem stable deal large numbers long time economic equilibria viewed mayfly standpoint individual people best shot noise visible 1 say rates exponential free energy differences endpoints transition state ignore complication model tue 17 sep 2002 124005 0700 big jump