answersLogoWhite

0

If you were to hike from sea level to the top af a mountain, you would notice that the temperature drops steadily as you climb. As you approach the top, you might even find ice and snow all around you. You probably know that it gets colder as the elevation gets higher. But ehy does it get colder even though you are getting closer to the sun? Consider what happenes as a mass of air moves up a mountain. As the air rises, it epands because of the lower air pressure. As the air expands, it cools. When air is cooled, it eventually reaches a temperature at wich it is saturated with water vapour, that is, it is holding as much water as it possibly can at that temperature and air pressure. This is called the dewpoint. Further cooling leads to condensaiton. Condensation is the change of water vapour into liquid water. Liquid water becomes clouds and if the droplets grow larger they may becom rain, snow, or hail depending on the weather conditions. Since the process of condenstaion releases heat into the air, the air mass cools more slowly as it continues to rise.

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

In 1729 what was the elevation and the climate in North Carolina?

The climate in North Carolina was a humid subtropical climate. The elevation in North Carolina goes from sea level on the coast to 6684 feet at Mount Mitchell.


What is the average elevation of North America?

The average elevation of North America is about 720 meters above sea level.


What has higher land elevation southeast North America or northwest North America?

Northwestern North America has higher elevation than Southeastern North America. Northwestern North America is mainly mountainous while Southeastern North America is mainly flat.


What did generalization can you make about the effect of climate on the life of early people in North America?

U can tell that the climate made them eat pickles


What generalization can you make about the effect of climate on the life of early people in north America?

U can tell that the climate made them eat pickles


What major climate region is located in north America?

North America


What is north Americas climates?

North America contains every type of climate zone there is. There is the tropical rainforest climate of Central America on up the arctic tundra of the North Pole.


What is the highest elevation point not Alaska in North America?

McKinley


Lowest elevation in North America that contains a desert?

Death Valley of the Mojave Desert is the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level.


What is the climate of Alaska and north America?

cold


What climate can be found in Europe and North America but NOT in Latin America?

Arctic


What is the desert with the lowest elevation in North America?

The Mojave Desert has the lowest elevation. Some parts are below sea level.