Question

Why does temperature decrease with altitude?

Answer 1

• When we move up a hill, we notice a fall in temperature. This fall in temperature with elevation is primarily due to two reasons.

1. With the increase in elevation, the atmospheric pressure falls. Fall in pressure implies that the temperature also falls [Pressure is directly proportional to Temperature and vice versa]
2. With the increase in elevation, the concentration of greenhouse gases decreases (Water vapor and carbon dioxide fall sharply with elevation). Hence the heat absorption capacity of the atmosphere will also decrease.