Multiple choice

With an increase in altitude, the atmospheric pressure

  1. increases

  2. decreases

  3. stays constant

  4. fluctuates in either direction
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude due to the decreasing weight of the air column above. This is why aircraft cabins must be pressurized at high altitudes and why performance decreases with altitude. The relationship is governed by the International Standard Atmosphere model.

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