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It is the pull of gravity on the column of air over you.
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∙ 13y ago
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Why does the air in the atmosphere press on us?
It's due to air pressure.
Why does the air pressure change the altitude in the atmosphere?
As the amount of air above us decreases...the air pressure decreases.
What is the name of the air pressing down on us?
Air pressure
Is atmospheric pressure higher in the sky?
yes it does but it has very little pressure
How does barometric pressure vary with altitude?
pressure is a physical unit that measures what we may call the density of force i.e. trhe amount of force exerted on a certain area , the atmosphiric pressure is the force exerted by the air mass on a certain area , clearly more air means more mass , thus , when we go down the air above us increases , and when we go down the amount of air decreases.
Why is the force exerted on the same amount of area on top of the mountain less than the force exerted at sea level?
Although you didn't mention air pressure, that seems to be what you are asking about. Air exerts pressure because air has weight, and we have a very thick atmosphere (which extends upward for about 200 miles) pressing down on us. But at higher altitudes, such as a mountain top, there is less air pressing down, since only the part of the atmosphere that is higher than where you are, is pressing down on you.
What does the atmosphere provide?
atmosphere has many things to do.. it protects us in so many ways such us giving us people a fresh air every day. gives us atmospheric pressure.
Does air have no weight as a result of gravity?
Air does have a weight! And it is because of gravity! Note that this is per definition true because weight is only defined in the presence of gravity. Perhaps you are confused about why the air is up in the atmosphere and not down here on the ground with us? This has to do with air pressure. You see, materials don't like to be compressed, which is what gravity tries to do. Gravity tries to compress the air to the ground, but faces increased air pressure as it does so. Basically what happens is that the air particles repulse each other and thus tend to drive them apart. This force increases if you force the particles to be closer to each other. As gravity tries to pull air down, the air pressure increases which counter balances the pull of gravity. In the end a stable system is formed where the air pressure is highest down near the ground and lowest up in the upper lays of the atmosphere. The air particles up in the atmosphere do feel gravity, but if they would move down they would feel an increased air pressure which pushes them up again!
What produces air pressure at the surface of the earth?
Air pressure is the force exerted by the gases in the atmosphere as Earth's gravity pulls on it. The atmosphere can be thought of as a 'sea' of gas surrounding the planet. Air pushes against us from all directions as the weight of air above compresses the air below (this is why altitude affects air pressure.)
Why does air pressure becomes lower as water molecules are added to the air?
Air pressure is the weight of the air at a specific location. On the surface of the earth, we have the entire weight of the atmosphere pressing on us in the form of air molecules like O2, N2, and CO2. As we go higher and higher into the atmosphere, there are fewer molecules and so there is less weight pressing against us.
How do straws work?
Drinking liquid through a straw uses the invisible pressure of the atmosphere to move a column of liquid. The air all around us is under pressure, from the rest of the atmosphere above it pushing down. (This is about 15 pounds per square inch at sea level.) You are reducing the pressure at the top of the straw*. The air pushing down on the surface of the liquid will force the liquid up the straw. So you are technically not "pulling" the liquid, it is being "pushed" by the air.*When you suck on a straw, the diaphragm under your lungs drops down, reducing the pressure in your lungs. This reduces the pressure in your mouth and likewise at the top of the straw.Air Pressure ExperimentYou can show that the air has pressure by inhaling at the top of an empty plastic bottle (a two-liter soft drink bottle is perfect for this). The sides of the bottle will cave in as you remove air from the bottle.(see related question)
Does the atmosphere exert pressure on us?
Yes.
