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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).

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

Water boils at a lower temperature on a mountain top due to lower atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. This means that water will boil faster on a mountain compared to sea level where the pressure is higher.


Why does the top of a mountain have greater air pressure?

The top of a mountain has lower air pressure, not greater air pressure, compared to lower elevations. This is because the higher you go in elevation, the thinner the atmosphere becomes, leading to lower air pressure due to decreased atmospheric density.


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.


What should a person expect to happen to the air pressure as they move from the base of a mountain to the top of the mountain?

As a person moves from the base to the top of a mountain, the air pressure decreases. This is because there is less air above you at higher altitudes, resulting in lower pressure due to decreased atmospheric density.


Why would a camper near the top of a mountain find that water boils at less than 100 celsius?

At higher altitudes, atmospheric pressure decreases, causing water to boil at a lower temperature. Near the top of a mountain, the reduced atmospheric pressure lowers the boiling point of water to below 100 degrees Celsius.

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 has higher pressure a mountain or a valley?

A valley typically has higher pressure compared to a mountain. This is because air tends to sink into valleys due to gravity, leading to slightly higher air pressure at lower elevations. In contrast, mountains have lower air pressure at higher elevations due to the thinner atmosphere.


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

Yes, the results could differ because the atmospheric pressure varies with altitude, which can affect the boiling point of liquids, including the melting point of solids. The lower atmospheric pressure at the top of a mountain can cause the melting point of a substance to be slightly lower than at sea level.


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

Water boils at a lower temperature on a mountain top due to lower atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. This means that water will boil faster on a mountain compared to sea level where the pressure is higher.


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 the top of a mountain have greater air pressure?

The top of a mountain has lower air pressure, not greater air pressure, compared to lower elevations. This is because the higher you go in elevation, the thinner the atmosphere becomes, leading to lower air pressure due to decreased atmospheric density.


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

Atmospheric pressure decreases as you go from the top of a mountain to sea level. This is because there is less air above you at higher altitudes, leading to lower pressure. Conversely, at sea level, more air is pressing down from above, resulting in higher atmospheric pressure.


Why waters boils at lower temperature on the top mountain when at sea level in boils at 100 degrees?

Water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes because the atmospheric pressure is lower at higher altitudes. This lower pressure decreases the boiling point of water. At sea level, the atmospheric pressure is greater, causing water to boil at 100 degrees Celsius.


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.


Does water boil faster at sea level than on the top of a mountain?

Water boils faster at sea level because there is higher atmospheric pressure, which increases the boiling point of water. At higher altitudes, such as on top of a mountain, the lower atmospheric pressure causes water to boil at a lower temperature, which means it takes longer to boil.


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.