Question

One day in July, the temperature at ground level at the airport was 90°. A pilot reported the temperature at 10,000 feet was 50°. How much did the temperature drop per 1000 feet? (Hint: find the amount of temperature change and set up a proportion)

a) 4°
b) 5°
c) 6°
d) 7°

Answer 1

The total temperature change from ground level to 10,000 feet is 40°F. Dividing by the 10 increments of 1,000 feet each yields a temperature drop of 4°F per 1,000 feet, making the answer (a) 4° per 1,000 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the temperature drop per 1,000 feet, we will first find the total change in temperature from ground level to 10,000 feet and then determine the temperature drop per 1,000 feet. The temperature at ground level is 90°F, and at 10,000 feet it is 50°F.

First, we find the total temperature change:

Temperature at ground level: 90°F

Temperature at 10,000 feet: 50°F

Total temperature change: 90°F - 50°F = 40°F

Now, we divide the total temperature change by the number of 1,000-foot increments between the two altitudes:

Height difference: 10,000 feet

Divide height difference by 1,000 feet per increment: 10,000 feet / 1,000 feet = 10 increments

Temperature drop per 1,000 feet: 40°F / 10 = 4°F per 1,000 feet

Therefore, the answer is (a) 4° per 1,000 feet.