Question

question 5
2 pts
which of the following explain why air pressure decreases at increasing altitude.
select all that apply.
temperature decreases
temperature increases
amount of gas decreases
amount of gas increases

Explanation:

Air pressure depends on the weight of the overlying air molecules. As altitude increases, there are fewer gas molecules above (amount of gas decreases), reducing the downward pressure. Additionally, in the troposphere (the lowest atmospheric layer where most pressure changes occur), temperature decreases with altitude; cooler air is denser, but the primary driver of pressure loss is the reduced number of molecules, and the temperature decrease also contributes to lower pressure via gas laws (lower temperature at constant volume/volume expansion reduces pressure). The currently selected incorrect option ("Amount of gas increases") is wrong, while "Temperature decreases" and "Amount of gas decreases" are correct.

Answer:

• Temperature decreases
• Amount of gas decreases