Final answer:
At high elevations, temperatures decrease faster at night because the air is thinner and can retain less heat compared to lower elevations. Option A is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
During nighttime, temperatures diminish more rapidly at elevated altitudes compared to lower elevations, primarily due to the diminished thickness of the air. This phenomenon stems from the fact that the sparser air at higher altitudes possesses a lower heat capacity, causing it to release heat more swiftly as the sun sets. This aligns with the fundamental principle that air density decreases with increasing altitude, implying that higher elevations house a reduced quantity of air available to retain heat.
The thinning of the atmosphere as one ascends creates a scenario where the molecules are less densely packed. Consequently, the higher-altitude air exhibits a lower capacity to store thermal energy. As nightfall ensues, this reduced heat retention capacity leads to a more rapid cooling of the atmosphere at higher elevations compared to lower regions.
This nocturnal temperature disparity, influenced by the heat capacity and density of air, underscores the dynamic interplay between altitude and thermal characteristics. It emphasizes the crucial role of atmospheric composition in governing temperature fluctuations and contributes to our understanding of the intricate dynamics governing climate and weather patterns across varied elevations.