Why is it colder at higher altitudes? Air temperature decreases with height in the troposphere (up to about 15-20 km) , then varies in hig...
Why is it colder at higher altitudes?
Air temperature decreases with height in the troposphere (up to about 15-20 km), then varies in higher layers.
The Earth's surface absorbs solar radiation and heats up more than the air above it, leading to warmer air close to the ground.
The heat at the surface is transported by convective expansion into the atmosphere.
Warm air rises and expands as it goes up, causing it to cool. This results in cooler temperatures at higher altitudes.
The atmosphere is not static; it constantly moves and mixes.
However, the overall trend remains that temperature decreases with height.
The atmosphere also loses heat to space through radiation, contributing to lower temperatures at higher altitudes.
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