answersLogoWhite

0

The air pressure decreases, meaning that the partial pressure of oxygen is also lower. By 16,000 feet (5000 m), there is only about one-half the pressure as at sea level.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

How is the air at the top of a mountain different from the air at the base of the mountain?

The air at the top of the mountain is thinner than the air at the base of the mountain. That is why you are harder breathing on the top than on the bottom.The gases are about the same, but there is usually a lot less water vapor (because its cold) :but the pressure is less (that is, the number of molecules per cubic foot is less), down to the point that on top of the tallest mountains humans can not survive for any appreciable time.


Why is the air pressure lower at the top of a mountain than at the bottom of the mountain?

The air pressure is lower at the top of a mountain because there is less air above pressing down on it, resulting in lower atmospheric pressure. This is due to the decrease in the density of air molecules at higher altitudes.


Why is the level of air pressure less at the top of a mountain than it is at sea level?

Air is denser at lower altitudes and less dense at higher altitudes. If the bottom of the valley is directly below the mountain, at a lower altitude, then there is technically more air in the valley.


How is air in high mountains different from air at sea level?

Air in high mountains is thinner because there is less atmospheric pressure as you go higher in elevation compared to air at sea level. The lower pressure at high altitudes makes it harder to breathe and can lead to altitude sickness if not acclimated. Additionally, there may be lower humidity levels in high mountain air compared to air at sea level.


Would the pressure be greater at the top of a mountain or at the bottom of it?

At the bottom. You can think of the air pressure at a given location as being the weight of all the air in a column above it. Thus, the higher you go, the less air there is above you, and thus the lower the air pressure. In the extreme, when you rise out of the athmosphere, there is no air above you at all, and the air pressure is effectively zero - a vacuum. Air pressure is greater at the bottom of a mountain.

Related Questions

How will the air at the top of a mountain be different from the air at the base?

The air at the top of the mountain is less dense, meaning there are less particles of oxygen in a certain are than on the ground. It is harder to breathe because the air is so thin, there is not enough oxygen to breathe normally until you get used to it.


Why is air pressure at the top of a mountain hard to breathe?

The air pressure at high altitudes is lower, which means there are fewer oxygen molecules in each breath. This can result in difficulty breathing because the body is not receiving enough oxygen to function properly.


Why is the air thinner at the top of a mountain?

The closer you are to the edge of the atmosphere, the denser air gets. That's why mountain climbers find it difficult to breathe, as there is less oxygen in the air up there.


Why do you need to breathe faster at the top of a tall mountain?

the air is thinner the higher up you go so it is harder to breathe. That's why there are pressurized cabins on airplanes because you wouldn't be able to breathe without the pressure keeping the air inside


Why can we not breathe 3000 feet of the ground?

I think that you may have left out a zero.I live at 3700 feet and breathe quite well.If it was 30,000 then it would be hard to breathe because at Mount Everest the air is thin. Gravity holds the air next to the ground and it begins to be thin on top of that very high mountain. So, think of air as a liquid that rests on the earth. It is only so thick ad then there is none in space.


What is the air like at the top of a mountain?

The air is usually very thin at the top of a mountain.


Why did the person put an oxygen mask when he got to the top of mount Everest?

Most climbers put an oxygen mask on well before reaching the summit of Mount Everest. They breathe extra oxygen because of the altitude of the mountain it is very thin air at that height which makes it very hard to breathe.


What would be the approximate air temperature at the top of a mountain?

Because mountain is a higher and the air is top and right and left of a mountain.🙂


Why is it harder to breathe on top of an mountain then at sea level?

There is less air pressure at the top of the mountain which means that all the air molecules you are trying to breathe are farther apart than they are at sea level which makes it seem like it is harder to breathe because you aren't getting quite as much as you're used to. To counter this your body creates a larger number of red blood cells and increases their size so they can transport more oxygen throughout your system.


Why is it hard to breath at the top of a mountain when you live at sea level?

Air is thinner. So until you are used to it -it feels difficult


What is the percent of oxygen at the top of a mountain?

The percentage of oxygen remains about 21% at the top of a mountain. However, due to lower air pressure at higher altitudes, there are fewer oxygen molecules per unit volume, making it harder to breathe.


Is it easier to breathe on top of Mount Whitney?

No, it would be harder to breathe on top of Mount Whitney (or any other mountain) do to the air being thinner. The thin air at higher elevations has less oxygen in it than at sea level (air at 10,000 to 14,000 ft has only 60-70 percent of the amount of oxygen in the air at sea level). Therefore with each breath you don't get much oxygen.