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Why is the air in the mountains so thin? Uncover the mystery of air pressure and altitude!
Barometric pressure, or atmospheric pressure, is the pressure in the Earth's atmosphere. Its impact on the human body and the entire environment is ubiquitous, but in high mountains, this pressure is particularly rare. So why is the air so thin at high altitudes? What is the cause of this phenomenon?
As altitude increases, air pressure decreases, primarily because the mass of the atmosphere above decreases.
As we gradually climb higher, the air pressure will drop by approximately 1.2 kPa each time we ascend 100 meters. This is because the composition and weight of air change with altitude. The air in the mountains has to withstand less pressure, making it difficult to absorb enough oxygen, which is why climbers often face breathing difficulties.
Basic principles of air pressure
Air pressure is generated by air molecules under the influence of gravity. The Earth's gravity causes air molecules in contact with the ground to be attracted, forming the atmosphere. At sea level, the standard value of air pressure is about 1013.25 hPa, which means that at this altitude, the density and number of air molecules are relatively high.
When the density of air decreases, the air pressure generated also decreases. This change is especially obvious at high altitudes.
In high mountains, the air feels thinner as we ascend, which means the amount of oxygen we inhale is also greatly reduced. This requires alpine climbers to adapt to the new environment, otherwise they will be troubled by altitude sickness.
The relationship between air pressure and altitude
Air pressure decreases with increasing altitude. This relationship can be scientifically described by the formula between air pressure and altitude. Simply put, as we get to higher altitudes, we will find that there is less and less air around us. This is equivalent to the fact that in a gravitational system, the pressure exerted at a certain point gradually weakens as the distance from the source of gravity increases.
The decrease in air pressure causes the air in the mountains to become thinner, well below the preset value at sea level.
Due to the influence of gravity, the structure of the atmosphere becomes looser above sea level. This is one of the reasons why the air pressure in high mountains is lower than in urban areas. As the climbing altitude increases, the air pressure decreases by approximately 2.17 standard atmospheres (atm) per kilometer.
Thickness and changes of the atmosphere
Although the Earth's atmosphere can be up to 1,000 kilometers thick, most of the air mass is within 20 kilometers of the surface. This means that about 75% of the air density is concentrated within about 8 kilometers of the surface.
In human-accessible geographical space, the density of air decreases exponentially as altitude increases.
This characteristic of the atmosphere means that air pressure drops more rapidly on mountaintops than at lower altitudes. Therefore, many high-altitude mountaineering activities require special equipment and training to help climbers successfully adapt to different air pressure environments.
Causes and prevention of altitude sickness
Many climbers suffer from altitude sickness when climbing high mountains, which is a series of problems caused by the body's inability to adapt to the sudden low air pressure and lack of oxygen. Headache, nausea, and difficulty breathing are some common symptoms. This happens mainly because our bodies need time to adapt to changes in oxygen in the environment.
Altitude sickness can cause serious health problems, so gradual acclimatization and adequate rest are particularly important when climbing high mountains.
An effective way to prevent altitude sickness is to acclimatize to altitude beforehand and maintain adequate hydration, which can help reduce the risk of altitude sickness. During climbing, proper rest periods also help to adapt to changes in the environment.
Conclusion
The relationship between air pressure and altitude does affect our survival and adaptation in the mountains. We gain a deeper understanding of why the air in high mountains is so thin and how this affects human activity. As we explore high mountain regions, will we find more ways to adapt to this change in pressure?
