You can think of our atmosphere as a large ocean of air surrounding the earth. The air that composes theatmosphere is made of many different gases. Nitrogen accounts for as much as 78% of the volumewhile Oxygen accounts for 21%. The remaining 1% is composed of such gases as Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Helium, and Hydrogen. Typically, the weather of the earth is caused by processes that occur within the lowest 20 km of the atmosphere. This includes such phenomena as fog, wind, rain, storms, snow, tornadoes, and clouds.
Air and consequently, our atmosphere, do have weight. This weight decreases as you go up within the atmosphere. When gravity acts on the air, the air exerts a force upon the earth called pressure. The typical pressure at sea level is 1013.25 millibars or 14.7 pounds per square inch. A millibar is a unit that is used to report the the atmospheric pressure. Do you think that air pressure varies with respect to air temperature? Take a few moments to think about this.
Answer
FAQs
When gravity acts on the air, the air exerts a force upon the earth called pressure. The typical pressure at sea level is 1013.25 millibars or 14.7 pounds per square inch. A millibar is a unit that is used to report the the atmospheric pressure.
What is the definition of air pressure in science? ›
That pressure is called atmospheric pressure, or air pressure. It is the force exerted on a surface by the air above it as gravity pulls it to Earth. Atmospheric pressure is commonly measured with a barometer.
What is the scientific explanation of air pressure? ›
Science is the study of the natural world through observation and experiment. A scientific explanation uses observations and measurements to explain something we see in the natural world. Scientific explanations should match the evidence and be logical, or they should at least match as much of the evidence as possible.
What does air pressure mean ________________? ›
Atmospheric pressure is defined as the force per unit area exerted against a surface by the weight of the air above that surface.
What is air pressure in one sentence? ›
The pressure exerted by the weight of air on the earth's surface is known as air pressure.
How to teach air pressure to elementary students? ›
Step 1: Put a ping-pong ball inside the wide part of a funnel. Step 2: Blow hard into the narrow end of the funnel. Step 3: You'll notice that the ball doesn't pop out of the funnel—but why? This is because as you blow into the funnel, the air moves faster and lowers the air pressure underneath the ball.
What are three facts about air pressure? ›
Fast Facts for the Air Pressure Team
- The readings are in millibars (mb). ...
- Isobars are lines connecting places of equal air pressure.
- Air pressure changes help predict local weather. ...
- On a weather map "H" shows the relative high pressure ("happy weather") and "L" shows the relative low pressure ("lousy weather").
noun as in air pressure. Weak match. barometric pressure.
What is the definition of air pressure quizlet? ›
air pressure. a measure of the force of air pressing down on the Earth's surface. Air has mass , density, and pressure. Depends on the density of the air.- measured in millibars or inches.
What is air pressure and what is it measured in? ›
The standard unit for measuring barometric pressure is called an atmosphere (atm). In relation to the English system of measurement, one atmosphere (atm) equals 29.9213 inches of mercury (inHg). In both millibars (mb) and hectopascal (hPa), the standard pressure at sea level is 1013.25 mb or hPa.
The pressure of the Earth's atmosphere, called the atmospheric (or barometric) pressure, is a force per unit area exerted by a column of air extending to the hypothetical top of the atmosphere. This is the entire body of air above the specific area.
What causes air pressure in simple terms? ›
When gravity acts on the air, the air exerts a force upon the earth called pressure. The typical pressure at sea level is 1013.25 millibars or 14.7 pounds per square inch. A millibar is a unit that is used to report the the atmospheric pressure.
What is air pressure 8th grade science? ›
We live at the bottom of the atmosphere, and the weight of all the air above us is called air pressure. Above every square inch on the surface of the Earth is 14.7 pounds of air. That means air exerts 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure at Earth's surface. High in the atmosphere, air pressure decreases.
When the barometer is __________, the air is dry and clear.? ›
Low pressure usually means it will be cloudy, rainy, or windy. Air moves away from areas of high pressure. High-pressure areas usually create cool, dry air and clear skies.
Does high air pressure mean? ›
In general, low pressure leads to unsettled weather conditions and high pressure leads to settled weather conditions.
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