2006-11-26 16:55:41 · 5 answers · asked by wafflehouse 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
For every 1000 feet, the temperature drops by 2 deg C (average and not linear).
The Sun heats the ground through the atmosphere. The heat is trapped on the ground: this is the warmest place.
As you go higher, the heat reflected by the ground diminishes. You are getting closer to the Sun, but that does not make much difference!
The temperature continues to drop as you go higher, until you reach 35-40000 feet, where it is about -52Deg C, but then other phenomenons occur and it becomes a bit more complicated, until to "outer space", where the temperature is near 0K, or -273DegC.
2006-11-26 19:44:56 · answer #1 · answered by just "JR" 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Holding latitude as a constant, it is partly due to less air pressure at higher elevations than at lower elevations. So, at any one point on earth, if you increase your elevation, you then decrease the amount of air pressure surrounding you. As a consequence, the temperature will drop as you increase your elevation.
2006-11-26 17:11:16 · answer #2 · answered by Gin Martini 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The earths surface absorbs most of the energy comming from sun to heat its topmost layers. Hence the farther you go away from earth the colde it becomes.
2006-11-26 21:03:37 · answer #3 · answered by Adithya M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The surface of the earth is better at absorbing heat (energy) than air.
The earth stays warm, but the air above stays cool.
2006-11-26 18:38:48 · answer #4 · answered by b r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's closer to the atmosphere.
2006-11-26 16:58:41 · answer #5 · answered by J 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋