answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted against a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the Earth's atmosphere. In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point. Low pressure areas have less atmospheric mass above their location, whereas high pressure areas have more atmospheric mass above their location. Similarly, as elevation increases there is less overlying atmospheric mass, so that pressure decreases with increasing elevation. A column of air one square inch in cross-section, measured from sea level to the top of the atmosphere, would weigh just over a stone (and a column one square centimetre in cross-section would weigh just over a kilogram).

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is the atmospheric pressure is lower at the top of a mountain than in a valley?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Physics

Why does water boil at a lower temperature on a mountain than sea level?

The boiling of any liquid is tied in to the atmospheric pressure, in an open system. Every liquid has it's own vapor pressure, that is the balance between the vapor and liquid phase. When atmospheric pressure decreases, the vapor pressure increases since now there is greater space for the molecules of the liquid to come into vapor phase. At higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is lesser, that is, the air is thinner. Thus the liquid can attain higher vapor pressure faster and boil at a lower temperature.


Why altitude affects boiling point?

Ya ........ if you have an egg on the top of high mountain the altitude and less air density causes lower boiling points and when you get higher it reduces the boiling point of the water and it is due to atmospheric pressure.Boiling is directly proportional to atmospheric pressure which becomes lower when we go above the sea level example mountainous areas. Answered by 12th standard student.SSK.


How do you think boiling of water will change on sea level as compared to boiling water on a mountain top?

I think that the temperature required to boil water is lower at high altitudes (where the atmospheric pressure is lower) than at sea level.


Why is water boil in the mountain faster than low place please explain science approach?

Some say, It's colder in the mountain than at lower places so the water shouldn't boil but, the pressure is higher there. The boiling point decreases so the water may be boiling but not as hot as it is in the lower regions. the higher the area, the higher the atmospheric pressure and the vapour pressure decreases thus create a lower boiling point.


Is it true that the boiling point of a liquid remains constant at all altitudes?

No. Atmospheric pressure falls the higher you go. The boiling point of a liquid varies with ambient pressure. If the pressure is lower then the boiling point will be lower.

Related questions

If you boil water at the top of a mountain would you expect it to boil at 100 degree Celsius explain?

Yes. In general, higher altitudes mean lower atmospheric pressure. Lower atmospheric pressure means lower boiling points.


Why does water boils at lower temperatures than in a valley?

Water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes because the atmospheric pressure is lower. In a valley, the air pressure is greater, which allows water to reach a higher temperature before boiling. At higher altitudes, where the air pressure is lower, the boiling point of water decreases.


What would happen to the air pressure if you took a barometer from a mountain top down into a mine shaft?

the atmospheric pressure on top of a moutain would be lower than the atmospheric pressure down in a mine shaft


Why does water boil at a lower temperature on a mountain than sea level?

The boiling of any liquid is tied in to the atmospheric pressure, in an open system. Every liquid has it's own vapor pressure, that is the balance between the vapor and liquid phase. When atmospheric pressure decreases, the vapor pressure increases since now there is greater space for the molecules of the liquid to come into vapor phase. At higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is lesser, that is, the air is thinner. Thus the liquid can attain higher vapor pressure faster and boil at a lower temperature.


If you performed a melting point experiment in the laboratory and on the top of the mountain would your results differ explain?

Yes because the atmospheric pressure at mountain is lower, therefore m.p becomes lower


Why would water boil at less than 100 degrees on top of a mountain?

The boiling point of any liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure. So if the atmospheric pressure is lower, it will take a lower temperature to make the vapor pressure equal to that of atmospheric pressure. At hill-stations, the air is generally thinner due to the altitude and the atmospheric pressure is also lower. Here, it requires less than 100oC temperature to reach the point where the vapor pressure of water reaches that of air. So, water boils below 100oC at hill stations.


If you go up a mountain will air pressure become less?

Yes, as you go up a mountain, the air pressure will become less. This is because the weight of the air above decreases as you gain elevation, resulting in lower atmospheric pressure.


How would gas exchange be affected at the top of a tall mountain where air pressure is lower and there is less oxygen then lower elevations?

At high altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower. Therefore, the partial pressure (partial oxygen) is lower. As partial pressure of oxygen goes down, the body's desire for oxygen goes up.


How would gas exchange be affected at the top of a tall mountain where air pressure is lower and there is less oxygen then at lower elevations?

At high altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower. Therefore, the partial pressure (partial oxygen) is lower. As partial pressure of oxygen goes down, the body's desire for oxygen goes up.


Why doeswater boil at a low boiling point on top of a mountain and a higher boiling point in a pressure cooker?

This is because the boiling point of any fluid increases as the pressure acting on it is increased. Atmospheric pressure on top of a mountain is lower than normal atmospheric pressure. Conversely, by not allowing steam to escape, the pressure above the water in a pressure cooker is allowed to build up to a much higher level.


Where water boils first in lower pressure or high atmospheric pressure?

in Lower pressure water does not have to get as hot to boil


How does atmospheric pressure change as you go from the top of a mountain to sea level?

It increases the lower you go in the atmosphere. In simple terms, there is more air pushing down on lower altitudes. Pressure will, of course, vary with weather conditions.