My classmate has wondered this for years.
2006-10-30 05:16:24 · 5 answers · asked by TraxAttack 3 in Environment
Hi. Any gas cools as the pressure is reduced and the gas expands. Wind blowing over a mountain may start out warm in the valley, but cools as it travels up-slope into less dense atmosphere. The cool or cold air rewarms as it travels down-slope and gets compressed.
2006-10-30 05:20:44 · answer #1 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's colder on top of the mountain...which doesn't explain the hot air rising part. Hmm, good question! :)
2006-10-30 05:19:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's colder up there.
Hot air rises because it is less dense. In the atmosphere, lower pressure means lower temps. PV=nRT and all that.
2006-10-30 05:19:27 · answer #3 · answered by loon_mallet_wielder 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On average, for every metre in elevation the temp. drops 1 degree celcius. There are less molecules, thinner air, to hold thermal mass. Can't hold heat unless there is something to hold the heat.
2006-10-30 05:47:08 · answer #4 · answered by Tom S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As air rises, it cools. This is the basis of convection circulation.
2006-10-30 05:24:16 · answer #5 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋