Atmospheric Pressure
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.4.2
Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area created by the weight of the air (particles) in the atmosphere.
Mountains
- At the top of mountains, atmospheric pressure is lower because there is less air (fewer particles) pressing down on the mountain.
- Air is lighter than water, but it still exerts pressure on the things beneath it.
Aeroplanes
- When we move quickly up into the Earth’s atmosphere on a plane, your ears pop because of the drop in atmospheric (air) pressure.
Test yourself on Atmospheric Pressure
Why do your ears pop on an aeroplane?
Explain how snowshoes work.