Atmospheric pressure is greatest near the Earth's surface becauseGroup of answer choicesof water vapor.of warmer temperature.90% of Earth's atmosphere is in the troposphere.of the weight of all the air above.Next
Question
Atmospheric pressure is greatest near the Earth's surface becauseGroup of answer choicesof water vapor.of warmer temperature.90% of Earth's atmosphere is in the troposphere.of the weight of all the air above.Next
Solution
Atmospheric pressure is greatest near the Earth's surface because of the weight of all the air above.
Here's why:
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The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases held in place by gravity.
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The closer to the surface of the Earth, the more air molecules there are above. This means there is more weight pushing down, which creates greater pressure.
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As you move higher into the atmosphere, there are fewer air molecules above and therefore less weight and less pressure.
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This is why atmospheric pressure decreases as you climb a mountain or fly in an airplane at high altitudes.
So, while factors like water vapor and temperature can affect local atmospheric pressure, the primary reason it is greatest near the Earth's surface is because of the weight of all the air above.
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