A nice, simple answer would be nice.
2007-05-07 15:40:29 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
As you get higher, according to gravitational law, gravity decreases, thus decreasing how much gravity "pulls" the air molecules to earth's surface "packing" them together(air pressure!)
Hope I helped!
2007-05-07 15:45:35 · answer #1 · answered by J J 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Air has mass. Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the column of air above a certain spot. As you go up the column gets shorter and the pressure gets less. The analog for this is the pressure at the bottom of a swimming pool is greater than the pressure at the top. Because of the weight of water. And the water does not move upward.
2016-05-17 23:38:00 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air (atmospheric) pressure is due to the height of the air above the earth's surface acting on the area of the surface.
14.7 pounds per square inch (14.7 psi)
or 101.3 kilo- Pascals (101.3kPa), or 1 atmosphere
(1 atm.)...etc.
As you ascend up a mountain or in an aeroplane, the height of air above you decreases. Therefore, the pressure exerted by the air also decreases.
2007-05-07 15:47:36 · answer #3 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only thing I can think of: Gravity.
Closer you get to earth gravity increases and pulls everything closer= increase pressure at low altitude. Higher up means less gravity.
Not saying it's 'official' but it makes sense to me.
2007-05-07 15:47:16 · answer #4 · answered by VampireCow 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a simple answer is that the higher up you go from the earth's surface the less force gravity can exert. Air pressure is the molecules expanding and spreading out.
2007-05-07 15:49:51 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah M 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Simple. Air is heavy. More air = more weight.
As you go higher, there is less air above you, pushing you down.
Why does water pressure increase as you go deeper, and decrease as you come back up? Same reason.
2007-05-07 15:48:08 · answer #6 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋