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Consider the following statements regarding Atmospheric Pressure:
1. It is the force per unit area exerted against a surface by the weight of the air below that surface down to the Sea Level.
2. As we go vertically upwards, we feel lower pressure.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Consider the following statements regarding Atmospheric Pressure:1. It...
  • Statement 1 is incorrect: It is the force per unit area exerted against a surface by the weight of the air above that surface.
Supplementary notes:
Atmospheric Pressure
  • Atmospheric pressure is the weight of a column of air contained in a unit area from the mean sea level to the top of the atmosphere.
  • Therefore, at a place, if the air is dense for instance near the Earth’s surface (due to Gravity), the atmospheric pressure will be more.
  • It is expressed in atm (Atmosphere), mb (millibar) and Pa (Pascal).
  • It is measured with the help of a mercury barometer or the aneroid barometer.
  • At sea level, the average atmospheric pressure is 1 atm or 1,013.2 mb or 1,013.2 h Pa(kilo Pascal).
Variations of Atmospheric Pressure
  • As the Pressure depends on the number of air molecules present at any place, it varies both vertically as well as horizontally.
  • This variation of the Atmospheric Pressure has been playing a very important role in Weather and Climate.
  •  Its variation is the main cause of air motion/ wind.
Vertical Variation
  • The pressure decreases with height because air gets thinner.
  • The average decrease is about 1 mb per each 10m increase in elevation, subject to other factors such as Temperature, local topography, closeness to the sea, etc.
  • Therefore, if the surface Atmospheric Pressure at any place is 1,000 mb, then the Pressure at 1 km above the surface will be (1000 – 100) mb i.e. 900mb.
  • Despite high vertical pressure gradient, there is weak upward wind because the pressure gradient gets weakened by the Gravitational force.
Horizontal Variation
  • The horizontal variation of the Pressure depends on the differential heating (insolation) of the surface which causes the differential air volumes.
  • These variations are highly significant in terms of wind direction and speed. Though the direction and speed depend also on Frictional force and Coriolis force.
  • Horizontal distribution of pressure is studied by drawing isobars (lines connecting places having equal pressure) at constant levels.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements regarding Atmospheric Pressure:1. It...
Statement 1: Atmospheric Pressure is the force per unit area exerted against a surface by the weight of the air below that surface down to the Sea Level.
Atmospheric pressure refers to the force that air molecules exert on a given surface area. It is caused by the weight of the air above that surface pushing down. As we go higher in the atmosphere, the air becomes less dense, resulting in a decrease in atmospheric pressure. This decrease in pressure is due to the reduction in the number of air molecules above a particular surface area.

At sea level, the weight of the air column above a unit area is the highest, resulting in higher atmospheric pressure. The pressure decreases with increasing altitude due to the reduced weight of the air column above. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: As we go vertically upwards, we feel lower pressure.
As mentioned earlier, as we move vertically upwards in the atmosphere, the density of air decreases. This reduction in air density leads to a decrease in atmospheric pressure. The decrease in pressure is primarily due to the decrease in the number of air molecules above a particular surface area.

When we ascend to higher altitudes, such as in mountains or during a flight, we experience lower atmospheric pressure. This decrease in pressure can be felt in the ears, as they may pop due to the pressure difference between the external environment and the middle ear. Additionally, as the pressure decreases, it affects the boiling point of liquids, which is why water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes.

Therefore, statement 2 is also correct.

Conclusion:
Both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct. Atmospheric pressure is indeed the force per unit area exerted by the weight of the air below a surface, and as we go vertically upwards, we experience lower pressure due to the decrease in air density with increasing altitude.
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