Explain why atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude. (3 marks)

Firstly, pressure is created by air molecules colliding with a surface. At an increased altitude there are fewer air molecules, and therefore a larger average distance between them. This means at this higher altitude, the number of collisions with a surface is decreased. This means the pressure is less at high altitude compared to the air pressure at the surface of Earth.

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Answered by Emily B. Physics tutor

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