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Chapter 5: Problem 5

Explain the effect of altitude/elevation on air temperature. Why is air at higher altitude/elevation lower in temperature? Why does it feel cooler standing in shadows at higher elevation than at lower elevation?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Air temperature decreases with altitude because of decreasing atmospheric pressure, which reduces the air's ability to hold onto heat. When standing in shadows at higher altitudes, the temperature feels cooler because fewer molecules can hold heat and sunlight, a significant source of heat, is absent.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the effect of altitude on temperature

First, one must understand the effect of altitude on temperature. Altitude or elevation refers to the height of a point above mean sea level. In the troposphere, which is the part of the atmosphere where weather occurs, the temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude. This temperature decrease, or temperature lapse, happens because as we go higher in the atmosphere, there are fewer air molecules and the pressure decreases. These molecules are what absorb and hold heat, so with fewer molecules to hold heat, the temperature is lower.
02

Understanding the effect of atmospheric pressure

Atmospheric pressure, which is the force exerted by the weight of the air above, decreases as one goes higher in altitude. With less air above an elevated location, there is less pressure, so the air is less dense. The rate at which temperature decreases with height is known as the lapse rate. The lower atmospheric pressure at higher elevations affect the ability of the air to hold onto heat, leading to lower temperatures.
03

Explaining the cooler feeling in shadows at high elevation

When standing in the sun, the direct sunlight can make a person feel warmer, but the actual air temperature does not change significantly. However, when standing in the shadow, particularly at high elevation where there are fewer molecules to hold heat, the temperature can feel significantly cooler than in the sunlight at the same altitude or at lower altitudes.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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