volume_mute

As a weather balloon travels higher up into the atmosphere, how do the ambient air density and pressure change?

publish date2026/05/20 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


Quizzes you can take where this question appears