2007-04-26 01:10:32 · 12 answers · asked by mrgv20 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Temps decrease with altitude. Air is thinner thus having less molecules and less coliding of molecules, making the air cooler.
Air is forced over a mountain by oragraphic lifting. When measuring the temperature, we use the dry adiabetic lapse rate to figure out what the temps are for each 1,000 feet a parcel of air is lifted. Dry adiabetic lapse rate = minus 5.5 degrees fahrenheit (from the surface temp) for every 1,000 feet you ascend.
It's a whole other story when the parcel of air hits it's saturation point.
2007-04-26 15:28:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is a result of a process called adiabatic cooling. You are correct that hot air rises. However, in the atmosphere, rising air actually cools via a process called adiabatic cooling. You may be familar with a law of physics called the ideal gas law. This is stated mathematically as PV = kT .. P - pressure, V - volume, T - temp. k - constant and adiabatic cooling happens when the rising air does not change volume. Higher up in the atmosphere the pressure is lower (less air above squeezing down) so with lower P and constant V, then T must also decrease. Roughly speaking, the air temp falls by 10C for every 1000m due to adiabatic cooling.
2016-05-19 02:11:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the Adiabatic Lapse Rate.
2007-04-26 02:12:35 · answer #3 · answered by 55Spud 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because atmosphere is heated from the bottom by the reflected sun's rays from the earth's surface.Atmosphere is transparent to direct sun's rays.
2007-04-26 07:34:32 · answer #4 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because as air rises it expands (the pressure is lower). As it expands it does work. As it does work it cools.
The rate at which this happens is called the lapse rate.
2007-04-26 01:13:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Higher elevations means the air is "thinner." It does not retain heat as well as heavier air at lower elevations.
2007-04-26 01:19:31 · answer #6 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two words: Adiabatic cooling
2007-04-26 03:26:11 · answer #7 · answered by Matthew P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because of the density of the air and the atmospheric pressure also there is usually more wind because there is less of anything to slow it down, reflection of the sun off of the grounds doesnt happen as much because of cloud cover, there is also different types of air like hydrogen, and helium, which react differently to different things.
soo
air density, atmospheric pressure, windchill, sun reflection, air type.
2007-04-26 01:27:31 · answer #8 · answered by joe k 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Density of the air is less, so fewer molecules of "greenhouse" gases to trap in heat.
2007-04-26 01:13:17 · answer #9 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I always wondered this because heat rises right?
However it is because there is less atmosfere and less air.
Air carries heat so if there is less of it then there is less heat...I think..?
2007-04-26 01:14:05 · answer #10 · answered by Jobe! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋