Question

Why does the atmospheric pressure go on decreasing as we go higher up above the earth's surface?

Answer 1

Atmospheric pressure:

The pressure exerted by the air that surrounds us is called atmospheric pressure or the weight of the atmosphere exerts a force per unit area.

The reason why the atmospheric pressure goes on decreasing as we go higher up above the earth's surface:

1. The total weight of the air above a unit area at any elevation can be interpreted as the pressure at that level in the atmosphere. The number of air molecules is inversely proportional to the height above a given surface. It means with an increase in height, the atmospheric pressure decreases.
2. At various elevations of the atmosphere, the air is not the same. Near the earth, it is denser. As we ascend, it thins away.
3. Because In the atmosphere, gravity holds most of the molecules close to the earth's surface so air pressure drops quickly at first and then more slowly as height increases.

Therefore, the atmospheric pressure goes on decreasing as we go higher up above the earth's surface