2007-05-04 11:17:40 · 9 answers · asked by flagberta777 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
The sun is the source of heat on our planet.
The radiation of heat from the sun comes in many wavelengths, some of the highest energy radiation is deflected away from the earth and some absorbed in the upper atmosphere by ozone. The energy radiation that occurs in the visible light spectrum travels through the atmosphere easily and is absorbed by dark objects such as the earth. The earth then radiates longer "infrared" radiation that is absorbed by the air, heating it.
So the atmosphere around you is actually heated from below and the temperature usually decreases at higher elevations.
One thing to remember is that while it may be colder on the mountain top you can still get a wicked sunburn, since the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn is more intense.
2007-05-05 04:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by drobertsnu 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Heat from the sun is absorbed by the earth and the atmosphere. Although the heat energy of the sun can pass through a vacuum, it cannot produce heat because there is little to no matter to absorb the heat. It must have something to act on to cause the temperature to increase.
The molecules of the atmosphere are absorbing the energy and increasing in temperature.
The higher you go, there are less molecules of air and therefore less heat is absorbed, thus, it's colder.
2007-05-04 18:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by Norrie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The percentage change in distance to the sun going from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney is so small that it is utterly overwhelmed by the thermal gradient in the atmosphere. The gradient arises because air near the ground is heated by the ground which is warmed by the sun.
2007-05-04 18:21:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is less atmosphere on top of a mountian... the oxygen is thin. it cant hold in heat.... our planet is warm because the atmosphere holds in heat (i.e. global warming).... the higher the elevation the less the atmosphere
2007-05-04 18:22:43 · answer #4 · answered by K8D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Less molecules to heat up (thinner air). It's cold in space because there are no molecules (vacuum).
2007-05-04 18:22:41 · answer #5 · answered by Got rice? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is colder the further you move from sea level which is why there is always snow on the mountains. it has to do with our atmosphere.
2007-05-05 03:02:11 · answer #6 · answered by bprice215 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well directions go in two...directions. up and down and sideways. at the top of a mountain is higher but also colder. so there you go.
2007-05-04 18:47:57 · answer #7 · answered by KJC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah..thats weird because doesnt heat rise?
2007-05-04 18:27:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
not nesserley look at the since way .
2007-05-04 18:21:10 · answer #9 · answered by iesha h 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋