Final answer:
The correct characteristics used to describe air are mass, pressure, and density. Air density decreases with altitude, so at higher altitudes, air becomes thinner.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three characteristics that are used to describe air are mass, pressure, and density. The density of air decreases with altitude; that is, the higher the altitude, the thinner the air becomes. This is evident when mountain climbers require oxygen tanks as they reach higher altitudes like the peak of Mount Everest, which has very low air density. Moreover, additional information beyond average density may be needed to identify the substances in objects composed of more than one material, as density alone may not provide full identification.