Altitude

Question 1

Define a temperature gradient

Answer 1

The higher you go, the cooler the air becomes

Question 2

What happens when you move higher

Answer 2

The air becomes thinner and thinner, causing the temperature to drop

Question 3

Closer to the surface of the earth, how is the air?

Answer 3

More dense, therefore it is hotter

Question 4

Name the three different altitudes that South Africa consists of, and explain them

Answer 4

• a narrow coastal strip along the south, east and west of the country
• the inland plateau with the average height between 1200m and 1500m
• the great escarpment which lies between the coastal strip and the plateau and looks like a continuous row of mountains

Question 5

Why is the tip of Kilimanjaro permanently covered in snow

Answer 5

Because it is so high up