NAME: ……………………………….. CLASS: ……………..

DATE: …………………

Changes in the Atmosphere with Altitude

Air pressure changes with altitude.
Air is all around us, but we cannot see it. Gravity from the Earth pulls air down - this is called air
pressure. We don't feel this pressure because our bodies push an equal amount of pressure outward.
This graph shows how air density and air pressure changes with altitude (the distance above sea
level). Barometers are used to measure air pressure in milibars.

Which of the following statements about the graph are true?

Air pressure is higher at lower altitudes.

☐ True
☐ False

Air density is higher at lower altitudes.

☐ True
☐ False

There is more space between air molecules at higher altitudes.

☐ True
☐ False

There is less oxygen to breathe at the top of a high mountain than there is at sea level.
☐ True
☐ False
Temperature changes with altitude.
The atmosphere is divided into different layers depending on how temperature changes. Take a look
at the graph below to see how temperature changes with altitude.

Which of the following statements about the graph are true?

If you follow the temperature line in the graph above from the surface of the Earth to the top of the
atmosphere, moving to your left represents a decrease in temperature, to your right represents an
increase in temperature, and straight up represents a constant temperature.
☐ True
☐ False

Temperature increases as you gain altitude in the stratosphere and the thermosphere.
☐ True
☐ False

Temperature decreases as you gain altitude in the troposphere and mesosphere.

☐ True
☐ False

Air temperature varies in complicated ways with altitude.

☐ True
☐ False
Near the Earth's surface, air gets cooler the higher you climb.
As you climb a mountain, you can expect the air temperature to decrease
by 6.5 degrees C for every 1000 meters you gain. This is called the
standard (average) lapse rate.

If air temperature is 30 degrees C at sea level as shown above, you can expect it to be around 10.5
degrees C at air altitude of 3000 meters because of the lapse rate.

Prepare yourself for the Teleferico!

You are going to go up the Teleferico in Quito today!

When you leave your house in Quito at 2000 meters, the air temperature is 15° C. What is the
temperature likely to be when you reach the teleferico top station which is at about 4000
meters?

☐ 10°C
☐ 2°C
☐ -2°C
☐ -10°C