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Which of the following would have the same effect on temperature as an increase in altitude?

a) Decrease in humidity
b) Increase in pressure
c) Increase in latitude
d) Decrease in pressure

User Vallard
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

An increase in altitude typically leads to a decrease in air density and pressure, thus lowering the temperature. The option that similarly affects temperature is a decrease in pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effect on temperature due to an increase in altitude is typically a decrease in temperature. This happens because the density of air and, consequently, the air pressure, decreases with an increase in altitude. Therefore, the option that would have a similar effect on temperature as an increase in altitude is d) Decrease in pressure.

When air pressure decreases, the temperature tends to decrease because the molecules in the air are less compressed, and they have less energy to transfer as heat. The other options, such as a decrease in humidity or an increase in latitude, affect temperature differently. It is true that higher latitudes generally have cooler temperatures, but this is due to the angle of the sun's rays, not atmospheric pressure. Meanwhile, changes in humidity can affect how temperature is perceived but not the actual air temperature in the way changes in air density due to altitude or pressure differences do.

User The Busybee
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