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The air molecules have mass. When a lot of molecues are piled up,one on top the other, the pressure increases because of that.So air pressure increases at lower altitudes.

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Q: Why does air pressure increase at lower altitudes?
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Why the density decrees at higher altitudes?

the density decreases because their is more air pressure in lower altitudes and as you go up their is less air pressure making it hard to breath


Is pressure greater or lesser at higher altitudes?

The air pressure at low altitudes is greatest due to the force of Earth's gravitational pull on the atmospheric gases. The air closest to the center of the Earth is pulled more by gravity and is thus more compact than that in the higher altitudes. This compressed air is more pressurized since the gas molecules are closer together and undergo a myriad of collisions with one another. At higher altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level. This is because the air pressure is much lower and can be more easily overcome by the water molecules. Vapor pressure, or the pressure at which water evaporates, is lower and this means that the temperature at which the water becomes water vapor is lower as well. While most of the first answer is correct, the relative distances from the center of Earth vary too little to be consequential. Just as in water, air at lower altitudes is compressed more simply due to the weight of all the air that's on top of it.


Why does density of air decrease with increase in height?

The density of air decreases with increasing altitude because air at high altitudes is under less pressure.


Does air pressure decrease with increasing altitudes?

No, air pressure decreases with increasing elevation. This is because air pressure is due to the weight of the column of air above where you are. The higher you go, the less air there is above you, so the less the weight of that column of air and the lower the air pressure.


Why is air pressure greater at a low altitude such as sea level than at a high altitude such as at the top of a mountain?

Air molecules are pushed closer together at sea level because the column of air pushing down is higher, and will tend be even higher at locations below sea level.Although there are constant variations in air pressure due to weather, lower altitudes will generally have a higher pressure than higher altitudes.

Related questions

Is air pressure greater at high altitudes or low altitudes?

It is greater at a lower altitude.


Which altitudes would have the lowest air pressure and why?

The highest altitudes have the lowest air pressure. Air pressure increases as altitude decreases. Above sea level is lower pressure; below sea level is higher pressure.


Why do recipes change at higher altitudes?

The air pressure gets lower!


Why does water boil at a lower temperature as altitude increases?

Air pressure affects the boiling point. Lower air pressure is present at higher altitudes.


Why the density decrees at higher altitudes?

the density decreases because their is more air pressure in lower altitudes and as you go up their is less air pressure making it hard to breath


Why is it possible to boil normal water at higher altitudes?

There is lower air pressure.


Why air is not drawn upward as the pressure at higher altitudes is greater than that in lower altitudes?

When I point out the fallacies in the question, it will be answered.-- The pressure at higher altitudes is less than the pressure at lower ones.-- The pressure acts downwardanyway.Just keep in mind that the whole phenomenon of air pressure is the resultof the weight of air, meaning the force of gravity attracting air toward thecenter of the Earth. Notice how all fear, doubt, and confusion have vanishedas if by magic.


One reason air pressure increases at lower altitudes is because?

air (gas) has mass therefore it is affected by gravity. the "deeper" the air the higher the pressure. just like the oceans....


Why does water boils at lower temperatures than in a valley?

Water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes because the atmospheric pressure is lower. In a valley, the air pressure is greater, which allows water to reach a higher temperature before boiling. At higher altitudes, where the air pressure is lower, the boiling point of water decreases.


When does air pressure increase?

as you move lower into the atmosphere


Is pressure greater or lesser at higher altitudes?

The air pressure at low altitudes is greatest due to the force of Earth's gravitational pull on the atmospheric gases. The air closest to the center of the Earth is pulled more by gravity and is thus more compact than that in the higher altitudes. This compressed air is more pressurized since the gas molecules are closer together and undergo a myriad of collisions with one another. At higher altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level. This is because the air pressure is much lower and can be more easily overcome by the water molecules. Vapor pressure, or the pressure at which water evaporates, is lower and this means that the temperature at which the water becomes water vapor is lower as well. While most of the first answer is correct, the relative distances from the center of Earth vary too little to be consequential. Just as in water, air at lower altitudes is compressed more simply due to the weight of all the air that's on top of it.


Why density of air decreases with increase in height?

The density of air decreases with increasing altitude because air at high altitudes is under less pressure.