We know that warm air rises. So it might seem that the air temperature should be higher at the top of mountains than down below. But the opposite is most often the case. Why?
To Explain: The reason due to which temperature of air on the top of mountains is not higher than the temperature down below.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
The density of air at the top of the mountain is less compared to down below. This is because the number of gas molecules are low at high altitude and due to this reason, the pressure at the high altitude of mountain decreases.
Warm air rises because it has low density. The air rises against the pressure, thereby undergoes adiabatic expansion and causes a drop in temperature.
Conclusion:
Hence, the temperature of air drops because of adiabatic expansion.
Chapter 24 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics: Principles with Applications
University Physics Volume 2
Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd Edition)
An Introduction to Thermal Physics
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics (14th Edition)PhysicsISBN:9780133969290Author:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. FreedmanPublisher:PEARSONIntroduction To Quantum MechanicsPhysicsISBN:9781107189638Author:Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Physics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningLecture- Tutorials for Introductory AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9780321820464Author:Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina BrissendenPublisher:Addison-WesleyCollege Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio...PhysicsISBN:9780134609034Author:Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart FieldPublisher:PEARSON