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Why is there less air pressure at higher altitudes?

Air at higher altitudes is cooler and less turbulent.
Lighter air molecules float above heavier air molecules.
The warmer, lighter air rises, bringing cooler, heavier air to low altitudes.
Air at higher altitudes doesn't have as much air weighing down on it from above.

User Fresco
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2 Answers

3 votes

Answer:

I believe it's the second option "Lighter air molecules float above heavier air molecules

Step-by-step explanation:

I believe this because as altitude increases the amount of gas molecules decrease which makes the air less dense

User Azaz Ul Haq
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5 votes

Answer:

The warmer, lighter air rises, bringing cooler, heavier air to low altitudes.

Air at higher altitudes doesn't have as much air weighing down on it from above.

Step-by-step explanation:

In short - air pressure is the result of the cumulative force that air molecules act on objects below them due to Earth's gravity. The higher the altitude, the less air molecules there are to act a force below them, and therefore, there's less air pressure at higher altitudes.

User Amrrs
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