Air Pressure

Question 1

Define:
Air Pressure

Answer 1

It is the force exerted on a surface by the air above it as gravity pulls it to Earth

Question 2

Atmospheric pressure (increases or decreases) as altitude increases.

Answer 2

decreases

Question 3

As the pressure decreases, the amount of oxygen available to breathe also (increases or decreases).

Answer 3

decreases

Question 4

At very high altitudes, atmospheric pressure and available oxygen get (so low or so high) that people can become sick and even die.

Answer 4

so low

Question 5

When a low-pressure system moves into an area, it usually leads to ____, _____, and _____.

Answer 5

cloudiness, wind, and precipitation

Question 6

High-pressure systems usually lead to ___, ____ weather.

Answer 6

fair, calm

Question 7

As you go up in an airplane, the atmospheric pressure becomes (higher or lower) than the pressure of the air inside your ears. Your ears pop because they are trying to equalize, or match, the pressure.

Answer 7

lower

Question 8

Define:
barometer

Answer 8

an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure

Question 8

Define:
clouds

Answer 8

visible mass of tiny water droplets or ice crystals in Earth’s atmosphere

Question 9

Define:
decompression sickness

Answer 9

serious condition resulting from gases forming tiny bubbles in the bloodstream as a body adjusts to a major change in atmospheric pressure.

Also known as DCS, divers disease, and the bends

Question 10

Define:
high-pressure system

Answer 10

weather pattern characterized by high air pressure, usually as a result of cooling. High-pressure systems are usually associated with clear weather.

Question 11

Define:
low-pressure system

Answer 11

weather pattern characterized by low air pressure, usually as a result of warming. Low-pressure systems are often associated with storms.