why is it harder to breathe when climbing up a high mountain?
a. The air compresses the lungs.
b. The air has more moisture.
c. The air is thinner.
d. The air pressure increases.
c. The air is thinner.
The correct answer is c. The air is thinner.
When climbing up a high mountain, the altitude increases, and as a result, the air pressure decreases. This decrease in air pressure makes the air thinner, meaning that there are fewer oxygen molecules per volume of air. Since oxygen is crucial for our breathing, the reduced availability of oxygen at higher altitudes makes it harder to breathe.
The correct answer is c. The air is thinner.
When climbing up a high mountain, it becomes more difficult to breathe because the air at higher altitudes is thinner, which means there is less oxygen available compared to lower altitudes. As you ascend to higher altitudes, the air pressure decreases, resulting in a decrease in the density of oxygen molecules in the air. This decrease in oxygen concentration makes it harder for your body to deliver enough oxygen to your muscles and organs, including your lungs.
To get this answer, we can think about the factors affecting breathing at high altitudes. The options a, b, and d are incorrect because they do not relate to the concept of air becoming thinner at higher altitudes. Option a suggests that the air compresses the lungs, which is not the case. Option b indicates that the air has more moisture, but moisture levels do not directly affect the amount of oxygen present in the air. Option d states that the air pressure increases, which is the opposite of what happens at higher altitudes. By process of elimination, we can determine that c, the air being thinner, is the correct answer.