why the temperature is cold at high altitude?

Answer 1

The main reason is that the atmosphere is not directly heated by the short-wave solar radiation but by the long-wave terrestial radiation reflected from the earth's surface that too by conduction from below.That is why the temperature becomes less as you go up.

Answer 2

Temperature is related to the motion of molecules, how many molecules there are and how fast they are vibrating. At higher alttitudes the atmoshere is less dense, meaning there are fewer molecules than there are at lower altitudes so there is less material (moleules) to heat up. Also, since there are fewer molecules there is less insulating atmosphere so objects cool off faster than they will at lower altitudes and a more dense atmosphere. Think of it like this, if you warm up a pan of water on the stove and then turn off the stove, the water stays warm for a longer time than if you warm up a pan of "air", an empty pan. The water can be thought of as a very dense atmosphere (lower altitude) and the air a less dense atmosphere (higher altitude).

Answer 3

as far as i know, what happens is that the suns rays passes through the atmosphere without heating it up and reaches the surface of the earth, it is then reflected from the surface and then moves up again. thats when it heats up d atmosphere. thats why its warmer near the surface and colder at higher altitudes..

this answer may not be entirely correct so dont bank on it too much..but thats what i kno happens..