volume_mute
As a weather balloon travels higher up into the atmosphere, how do the ambient air density and pressure change?
publish date: 2026/05/20 22:36:0.115754 UTC
volume_mute
Correct Answer
Both air density and air pressure decrease.
Explanation
Because gravity pulls air molecules down toward the Earth's surface, the atmosphere is densest at sea level. As altitude increases, there is less air above pressing down, meaning both atmospheric pressure and air density decrease with height.
Reference
Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide
