What happens to molecules in air as altitude increases in the troposphere?

Question

A. They get closer to each other?
B. They stay at the same temperature
C. They become denser
D. They move farther apart

Answer 1

As altitude increases in the troposphere, the correct answer is:

D. They move farther apart.

As you ascend in the troposphere, the atmospheric pressure decreases, which allows molecules to spread out more, resulting in lower density of air. This leads to the molecules moving farther apart. Additionally, the temperature generally decreases with altitude in the troposphere, but the key point here is the spacing of the molecules.