How does outdoor air pressure change when altitude decreases?

How does outdoor air pressure change when altitude decreases?

• A. Increases
• B. Decreases
• C. Stays the same
• D. Fluctuates

Answer: (A)

When you go to a lower elevation, outdoor air pressure increases. The air is heavier the closer you are to the surface because there’s more air above pressing down. This is why sea-level pressure is about 1013 hPa, while higher up the pressure is much lower. The rising pressure with decreasing altitude can be understood from the idea that the weight of the air column above you grows as you descend. So the best fit is that pressure increases when altitude decreases. The other options don’t describe a consistent downward trend: pressure doesn’t stay the same as you move lower, and while weather can cause short-term fluctuations, the general tendency with altitude is an increase in pressure as you descend.

When you go to a lower elevation, outdoor air pressure increases. The air is heavier the closer you are to the surface because there’s more air above pressing down. This is why sea-level pressure is about 1013 hPa, while higher up the pressure is much lower. The rising pressure with decreasing altitude can be understood from the idea that the weight of the air column above you grows as you descend. So the best fit is that pressure increases when altitude decreases. The other options don’t describe a consistent downward trend: pressure doesn’t stay the same as you move lower, and while weather can cause short-term fluctuations, the general tendency with altitude is an increase in pressure as you descend.