What happens to air pressure and the amount of oxygen as the altitude increases in Earth atmosphere?
As altitude increases in Earth's atmosphere, air pressure decreases and the amount of oxygen decreases. This is because the air is thinner at higher altitudes, so there is less air pressure and less oxygen available.
What happens to air pressure and the amount of oxygen as the altitude increases in Earth’s atmosphere?(1 point)
As altitude increases in Earth's atmosphere, air pressure and the amount of oxygen both decrease. This is because the air becomes less dense at higher altitudes.
As the altitude increases in Earth's atmosphere, both air pressure and the amount of oxygen decrease. Let me explain why:
Air Pressure:
Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere on a given area of the Earth's surface. The higher you go in the atmosphere, the fewer air molecules are above you, resulting in a decrease in air pressure. This is because gravity pulls the majority of the Earth's atmospheric gases towards the surface, making the air denser closer to the ground. When you ascend to higher altitudes, the air becomes thinner, and there are fewer air molecules exerting pressure.
Oxygen Levels:
Earth's atmosphere is mainly composed of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%), along with trace amounts of other gases. As you increase in altitude, the composition of gases remains relatively constant, but the decrease in air pressure affects the availability of oxygen. Since oxygen molecules are heavier than nitrogen molecules, they tend to settle closer to the Earth's surface. As a result, at higher altitudes, there are fewer oxygen molecules available to breathe, leading to a decrease in the amount of oxygen.
To measure air pressure and the amount of oxygen at different altitudes, scientists use specialized instruments such as barometers to measure air pressure and oxygen sensors to measure the percentage of oxygen in the air. These measurements help us understand the changes in air pressure and oxygen levels as we move to higher altitudes within Earth's atmosphere.