2007-06-30 09:42:45 · 19 answers · asked by IshotJR 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's the gravity ,the same thing that holds me and u here.
2007-06-30 10:19:46 · answer #1 · answered by ⇐DâV£ MaΧiMiÅnO⇒ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gravity. It may seem like gravity doesn't affect the air because, after all, the air sort of seems to "float"; but really the only reason the air molecules don't fall flat on the ground is because the thermal energy provided by the sun keeps them "stirred up" and in constant motion. If not for that constant influx of thermal energy, the atmosphere would collapse down on the surface, in a layer of frozen nitrogen (etc.) a few feet thick.
Once in a while, through random collisions, an air molecule will get kicked so hard that it will achieve escape velocity. If this happens near the top of the atmosphere (where there are no other molecules to kick it back down), the molecule will escape into space. This means the whole atmosphere would gradually escape into space if it were not slowly replenished by gases coming from chemical reactions and volcanos etc. on the surface.
2007-06-30 10:57:09 · answer #2 · answered by RickB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gravity holds the Earth's atmosphere. A small amount percolates into space all the time due to the random movement of atoms of gas caused by cosmic rays, some atoms move up at great speed and go off into space.
2007-07-04 03:16:44 · answer #3 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity holds the atmosphere close to Earth.
2007-06-30 09:46:12 · answer #4 · answered by kk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gravity
2007-06-30 09:45:57 · answer #5 · answered by MistaBojangles42 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We talk of surface pressure in Meteorology. This pressure is nothing but the weight of the coloum of air over that place.Just like any object which is having weight is attracted by the earth's gravitational field,the atmosphere which contains this air is also attraced by the earth.So it does not fly out into the space.
2007-07-02 03:06:28 · answer #6 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity keeps all particles pulled. Earth's magnetic field keeps stellar particles from colliding with atmosphere and prevents escape by high speed collisions.
Mars has atmosphere, but it's very thin due to lack of magnetic field. Moon does not have any atmosphere due to weak gravity and weak magnetic field.
2007-06-30 09:48:56 · answer #7 · answered by Mik K 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
gravity
in fact gravity causes the atmosphere to have a slight ammount of pressure. just enough to keep the boiling point of water at 100 degree Celsius.
without gravity causing this pressure water would boil at approx 20 degree celsius which is 17 deg. below your body-temperature..
2007-06-30 09:45:26 · answer #8 · answered by blondnirvana 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gravity.
2007-07-04 00:23:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity. Our atmosphere has mass, weight. The earth's gravity holds that weight to it.
2007-06-30 15:27:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
gravity keeps everything on earth ON the earth, including the atmosphere itself...
2007-06-30 12:59:21 · answer #11 · answered by jonboy2five 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋