What is the relationship between atmospheric pressure and height above the Earth’s surface?
pressure decreases rapidly with height above the Earth’s surface
Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air molecules in the atmosphere on a given area of the Earth’s surface. The closer an object is to the Earth’s surface, the greater the atmospheric pressure it experiences. As height above the Earth’s surface increases, the density of air decreases, which means that fewer air molecules are present in a given volume. As a result, the pressure exerted by those air molecules decreases as well.
This relationship between atmospheric pressure and height above the Earth’s surface is usually represented by the barometric formula, which states that atmospheric pressure decreases exponentially with altitude. Specifically, atmospheric pressure decreases by about 1% for every 100 meters of altitude gained. This means that the atmospheric pressure at sea level, which is typically around 1013 hPa (hectopascals), decreases to about half that value at an altitude of 5,500 meters (the height at which most commercial airliners fly).
It’s worth noting that changes in temperature, humidity, and weather conditions can also affect atmospheric pressure at a given altitude, so the relationship between height and pressure can be more complex in practice. However, in general, the higher the altitude, the lower the atmospheric pressure.
More Answers:
Importance of Habitats: Exploring the Physical and Biological Components Necessary for Organism SurvivalThe Fundamentals of Organisms: Life Processes and Diversity
Gay-Lussac’s Law: The Relationship Between Pressure and Temperature in Ideal Gases