Chapter 11: Pressure and Density of the Atmosphere

Your ears pop when you ascend in an airplane because

A & B

Air density varies with _____.

All of the above

The force of the air weighing down over a unit of area is known as _____.

Atmospheric pressure

Why do ears pop at higher altitudes?

Because the atmospheric pressure is lower and the air is less dense at higher altitudes.

The number of molecules in a given volume is called _____.

Density

_______, or the mass per unit volume, is a measure of how closely molecules are packed together.

Density

When you are in an airplane, you mostly feel the increase and decrease of altitude in this part of your body?

Ear

Low-pressure areas have more atmospheric mass above their location.

FALSE

The atmosphere has the same properties at different elevations, or altitudes, above sea level.

FALSE

The atmospheric pressure increases with height as we move upwards through the atmospheric layers.

FALSE

With increasing altitude, air density also increases.

FALSE

People who climb tall mountains set up camp at higher and higher elevations to get used to the

Less dense atmosphere

Air density decreases with increasing altitude because gravity has less pull on the molecules.

TRUE

Air is denser at sea level, where the gravitational pull is greater.

TRUE

Air pressure decreases as the altitude increases.

TRUE

Ears pop as air pressure inside and outside the ear equalizes.

TRUE

Gases at sea level are compressed by the weight of the atmosphere above them.

TRUE

Gravity pulls more air molecules toward the center of the planet.

TRUE

Temperature decreases with increasing altitude in the troposphere because the molecules are not packed as tightly together at higher altitudes.

TRUE

The density of air decreases with increasing altitude.

TRUE

We are not crushed by air pressure because the molecules inside our bodies are pushing outward as much as the atmosphere is pushing in.

TRUE

Why is the air denser the closer you are to sea level?

The gravitational pull is stronger closer to the center of the Earth

What could happen to a capped bottle full of air if it was taken from sea level up to the top of Mt. Everest?

The higher pressure on the inside than on the outside would make it push its cap off

Elevation or height above sea level is called __________.

altitude

The force of air weighing down over a given area is known as air _________________.

pressure