Physics Topic Practice

Atmospheric Pressure and Altitude | GCSE Physics

The atmosphere is a thin layer of air round the Earth. It gets less dense as altitude increases.

Why is it harder to breathe at the top of a high mountain?

What is Atmospheric Pressure and Altitude | GCSE Physics?

"The pressure within the atmosphere of the Earth."

Question 1

As you move higher up into the atmosphere, the density of the air ____.

Question 2

Atmospheric pressure is caused by air molecules ____.

Question 3

Why does a crisp packet puff up when taken on an airplane flight?

Atmospheric Trends

Atmospheric pressure is created by air molecules colliding with a surface.

Number of air molecules above a surface decreases as altitude increases.

Pressure decreases as you go higher up in the atmosphere.

The atmosphere is much thinner compared to the Earth's radius.

Exam Tip

Graph Tip: The relationship between altitude and pressure is not linear; pressure drops faster at lower altitudes.

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