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That is correct. If you think of the air as being a column of molecules, you can visualize that the mass of molecules in that column is forced downward by gravity. A 1cm square column extending upward to the top of the atmosphere weighs approximately 2.2 pounds. At an altitude further up the column where fewer molecules comprise a lesser mass they would exert proportionately less force. Another way to measure the weight of this column of air is by the pressure it exerts at a given point.

Temperature also has an effect on the pressure of air due to a change in the density of the air mass, thus two columns of air at at the same altitude might have different pressures because their temperatures are different. Generally, cold air has a higher pressure than warm air at the same altitude.

The decrease in pressure as altitude increases is called the pressure lapse rate, and has been tabulated for a "standard atmosphere" (one where the pressure and temperature at sea level are 29.92 in Hg (inches of Mercury) and 15 deg C respectively). Obviously, this varies in real world conditions but is approximately 1 in Hg per 1000 ft. The term lapse rate also applies to temperature changes with altitude and is approximately 2 deg C per 1000 ft on average depending upon the the moisture content of the air.

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Q: Is it a fact that as altitude increases pressure decreases?
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What happens to atmospheric pressure as altitude increase?

This would actually be a simple answer: Pressure decreases. Simply because of the fact that as altitude increases, the less air there is on top of you, and the lower the pressure would be.


As altitude increases in the Troposphere does the temperature increase?

No, the temperature does not increase in fact it decreases as the altitude increases yes it does.


Where is air pressure the greatest in the atmosphere?

Air pressure is the amount of force exerted on an object by the atmosphere. It is greatest at sea level.It is greatest in the exosphere, due to the fact that air pressure is greater as the altitude rises; the exosphere is the highest level within the atmosphere.Air pressure is greatest in the areas that are small and enclosed. This is because there is no way to escape.


How does the boiling temperature of water change with altitude?

Depending on the altitude the boiling point will differ. This calculator will give you the boiling point of the altitude that you desire to discover: http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oboilcalc.html


Which process causes the temperature to decrease as one goes higher in the mesosphere?

Above the stratopause and extending to an altitude of about 80 Km is the atmospheric layer called the mesosphere.In this layer,the temperature decreases as the altitude increases.In fact,the mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere,dropping to a temperature of -90C.The upper boundary of the mesosphere,called mesopause ,is market by a return to increase temperatures.

Related questions

What happens to atmospheric pressure as altitude increase?

This would actually be a simple answer: Pressure decreases. Simply because of the fact that as altitude increases, the less air there is on top of you, and the lower the pressure would be.


As altitude increases in the Troposphere does the temperature increase?

No, the temperature does not increase in fact it decreases as the altitude increases yes it does.


What happens to air pressure when the altitude goes up?

When the altitude increases, the air pressure decreases (or "GOES DOWN") and vice versa. This is due to the fact that air is affected by gravity, therefore there is more of it at a lower altitude than at a higher altitude.


When water freezes does it decreases in volume?

No. In fact it increases.


How does air pressure change as water vapor pressure increases?

As water vapor increases, pressure decreases due to the fact that water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, which is lighter than what most of the air is made out of, oxygen and nitrogen.


Why hydration energy decreases down the group in periodic table?

In fact it increases down the group because ionization energy decreases down the group


What does Boyle's law say about the relationship between pressure and volume of gas?

Boyle's law describes the fact that, at constant temperature, the pressure and volume of a particular sample of gas are inversely proportional. As one quantity increases, the other decreases, and vica versa.


Where is air pressure the greatest in the atmosphere?

Air pressure is the amount of force exerted on an object by the atmosphere. It is greatest at sea level.It is greatest in the exosphere, due to the fact that air pressure is greater as the altitude rises; the exosphere is the highest level within the atmosphere.Air pressure is greatest in the areas that are small and enclosed. This is because there is no way to escape.


Is negative correlation bad?

No, the "negative" simply refers to the fact that one variable increases as the other decreases.


Why does the atomic radius decreases as the atomic number increases?

The atomic radius decreases as the atomic number increases due to the fact that there is now a greater quantity of protons in the nucleus emitting greater intramolecular force, pulling the electrons closer towards it. This, thus, decreases the radius.


Why does a fountain pen leak at high altitude?

I don't know this as a fact, but this makes sense to me: Fountain pens work on a capillary action system, with only tiny amounts of force applied to the ink to make it go down to the nib. When you go up to a high altitude, suddenly pressure decreases, and the pressure in the pen relative to the outside becomes much higher. Seeking to equalize pressure, the ink starts coming out faster.


How does the boiling temperature of water change with altitude?

Depending on the altitude the boiling point will differ. This calculator will give you the boiling point of the altitude that you desire to discover: http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oboilcalc.html