Question

How does altitude affect air pressure and density? Check all that apply.

Air is less dense on a mountaintop than at sea level.
Air pressure is lower at low altitudes.
As you climb a mountain, air pressure increases.
More force pushes on the air at the bottom of an air column.
As you descend a mountain, air molecules are closer togethe

Answer 1

Correct answers:
- Air is less dense on a mountaintop than at sea level. (True — both pressure and therefore density generally decrease with altitude.)
- More force pushes on the air at the bottom of an air column. (True — the weight of the air above produces greater pressure at the bottom of the column.)
- As you descend a mountain, air molecules are closer together. (True — pressure and density increase as you go to lower altitude.)

Incorrect:
- Air pressure is lower at low altitudes. (False — pressure is higher at low altitudes.)
- As you climb a mountain, air pressure increases. (False — pressure decreases as altitude increases.)