Why is hotter at sea level than at the top of a mountain if the mountain’s top is closer to the sun?

Answer 1

Good question. This comes about because of what is known as lapse rate. As we go up in atmosphere ambient temperature drops at the rate of 1.98deg per every 1000ft of altitude. This is overwhelming factor and distance of Sun does not come in to play since distance to Sun is enormous 93 million miles.

Answer 2

A mountain top is colder because the air is less dense in altitude.
The distance from the Sun is irrelevant. Have you seen images of the Earth from the Space Station or from the Moon? You can't distinguish any mountains and the Earth looks smoother than an orange.

Answer 3

this may be a hassle-free, and a complicated question. the easy answer is that the 'warmth' we frequently think of approximately, come from the exterior of the earth. The solar irradiates the exterior, which re-radiates the ambience, yet at a decrease wavelength. This decrease wavelength is what we predict of of as warmth. So the ambience is heated from under, basically. the 2nd area bargains with the equation of state for gases interior the ambience. you may remember, for an suitable gas PV = nRT As rigidity decreases interior the above, and quantity is saved stable, we are able to the two decrease the form of molecules (n) or shrink the temperature (T), or the two. so as you pass up the mountain, the rigidity decreases, and the density plus temperature shrink besides. There are greater complicated subjects, yet which will possibly fulfill on your tight lipped (i assume he basically does not understand jack) mate. No offense, in spite of the shown fact that it has little or no to do with thermal conductivity. extra: One word on 'thermal conductivity' -- At intense altitude, with decrease rigidity and decreased density, the air keeps much less moisture. This water vapor is the container of warmth. So, below particular situations, with a amazing fleece jacket you may stay warmer longer on actual of the mountain than on the backside, in spite of the reality that it quite is chillier on actual (assuming its very chilly at the two places).

Answer 4

The distance to the sun is of no matter:
Venus is all around hotter than Mercury.
The Earth is actually closer to the sun during winter (in the N hemisphere).

It's a matter of atmospheric pressure.

Answer 5

The earth is 150 million kilometres from the sun. The tallest mountain, Mt.Everest, is just short of 9 km. To give you an analogy, it's like you walking to the south side of your bedroom and saying "I am now closer to Antarctica!". Theoretically yes but NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT. The inability of thin air to retain heat plays the only major role.

Answer 6

The atmosphere is thinner atop a mountain.

Answer 7

because as elevation increases, temperature decreases. in other words, if youre on top of the mountain, its cooler than it is at the bottom of the mountain.