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The air pressure at low altitudes is greatest due to the force of Earth's gravitational pull on the atmospheric gases. The air closest to the center of the Earth is pulled more by gravity and is thus more compact than that in the higher altitudes. This compressed air is more pressurized since the gas molecules are closer together and undergo a myriad of collisions with one another.

At higher altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level. This is because the air pressure is much lower and can be more easily overcome by the water molecules. Vapor pressure, or the pressure at which water evaporates, is lower and this means that the temperature at which the water becomes water vapor is lower as well.

While most of the first answer is correct, the relative distances from the center of Earth vary too little to be consequential. Just as in water, air at lower altitudes is compressed more simply due to the weight of all the air that's on top of it.

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What is the relationship between altitude and atmospheric pressure?

the relationship between atmospheric pressure and altitude is the higher you go, the lesser the atmospheric pressure becomes. if the air above you is less, then there is less weight being pressed upon the air you are on. anonymous boy from small heath school y8 2011


What is the relationship between altitude and air pressure and amount of oxygen?

The higher you go, the lesser the air pressure becomes. This can be logically understood. Atmospheric air pressure is caused by the weight of the air above it. At greater heights, the amount of air above you is less, so there is less weight pressing on the air you are in. This is the reason why the atmospheric pressure is higher at the sea-levels and lower at mountains and places of high altitudes.


Why the fluid will flow from a region of higher pressure to one of low pressure?

No. Gas flows from High to Low. This can be demonstrated by blowing up a balloon and then releasing the open end. The gas within the balloon is at a higher pressure due to the stretched rubber attempting to resume its original size. When you release the open end, the high pressure gas escapes to the low pressure outside of the balloon. Gas, like water, always seeks to achieve equilibrium.


Is it a fact that as altitude increases pressure decreases?

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.


Why does air get thinner as you gain altitude?

AnswerThe gravitational pull of the Earth draws air molecules towards its centre, making the air denser nearer the surface and thinner as altitude increases.

Related Questions

How are density pressure and altitude related?

The higher you go, the lesser the air pressure becomes. This can be logically understood. Atmospheric air pressure is caused by the weight of the air above it. At greater heights, the amount of air above you is less, so there is less weight pressing on the air you are in. This is the reason why the atmospheric pressure is higher at the sea-levels and lower at mountains and places of high altitudes.


Is the speed of sound greater or lesser different altitudes?

The speed of sound is slightly faster at higher altitudes due to the decrease in air density, which allows sound waves to travel more quickly. However, variations are small and may not be noticeable in everyday situations.


Why does atmospheric pressure varies from place to place?

Atmospheric pressure varies due to elevation (altitude) and because of the motion of air masses over the surface. For altitude differences, the pressure is the result of the surrounding air. Higher pressure is experienced at lower altitudes just as higher pressure is found in greater depths within a body of water. A simple explanation is that the "column of air" above a surface "pushing down" is much shorter if you move higher into the "sea of air." This lower weight is expressed as lower pressure, which represents fewer molecules within a given volume of air. The higher the altitude (eg. mountains) = The lesser the atmospheric pressure The lower the altitude (eg. sea level) = The higher the atmospheric pressure


Does air pressure change with altitude?

The higher up you are the lesser the air pressure in the atmosphere.


Why do the boiling point of water decrease on climbing up the higher altitude?

Water usually boils at 212F or 100C at sea level. As you go higher up in the atmosphere (higher altitude), the amount of atmosphere pushing down on you decreases, hence the pressure decreases. Water boils when the vapor pressure of the water equals the atmospheric pressure. Vapor pressure increases with increasing temperature, so when there is less atmospheric pressure, a smaller vapor pressure is required to get the water boiling, hence a lower boiling temperature.


What is greater than and lesser than?

Greater than > Lesser than <


Is there a greater or lesser air pressure on top of the wing when lift occurs?

There is lesser air pressure on top of the wing when lift occurs. This is due to the shape of the wing causing the air to move faster over the top surface, resulting in lower air pressure according to Bernoulli's principle.


The two large processes of the proximal femur are the greater and lesser?

greater trochanter and lesser trochanter


Why is air pressure different at various places on earth?

Air pressure varies at different places on Earth due to changes in temperature, elevation, and weather systems. Warmer air is less dense and exerts lower pressure, while colder air is denser and exerts higher pressure. Higher elevations have lower air pressure due to decreased air density. Weather systems such as high- and low-pressure systems also cause fluctuations in air pressure.


How does reducing the volume of a gas affect its pressure if the temperature of a gas and the number of particles are constant?

At a constant temperature, the volume and the pressure are inversely proportional, that it, the greater the volume, the lesser the pressure on the gas, and viceversa.


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

Water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes because water boils when the vapor pressure of the heated water matches the pressure of the atmosphere pushing downward. Since there is a higher atmospheric pressure at sea level than in say a mountain, the temperature needed to boil water decreases.


Is negative 5556 greater than negative 5557?

Yes. When dealing with negative numbers, the higher the number, the lesser the value.