5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure

• Atmospheric pressure is caused by the force of gravity
• What primary force causes atmospheric pressure?

  Gravity
• Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude
• What is the symbol for atmospheric pressure measured in atmospheres?

  atm
• A Pascal (Pa) measures force per unit area in N/m².


  True
• Match the unit of atmospheric pressure with its approximate relation to Pascals:

  Atmosphere (atm) ↔️ 101,325 Pa

  Kilopascal (kPa) ↔️ 1000 Pa
• Gravity is one of the key causes of atmospheric pressure.


  True
• Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude
• Why does atmospheric pressure decrease with altitude?

  Less air mass above
• At sea level, the atmospheric pressure is approximately 101,325 Pascals or 1 atmosphere
• Atmospheric pressure at sea level is higher than at higher altitudes.


  True
• What is the average atmospheric pressure at sea level in Pascals?

  101,325 Pa
• Lower pressure above an airplane's wings creates lift during flight.

  True
• Match the type of barometer with its measurement unit:

  Mercury Barometer ↔️ Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)

  Aneroid Barometer ↔️ Millibars (mb)
• A mercury barometer uses the height of a mercury column to indicate atmospheric pressure.

  True
• What is atmospheric pressure defined as?

  Weight of air above
• Match the unit of atmospheric pressure with its relation to Pascals:

  Pascal ↔️ 1 Pa = 1 N/m²

  Kilopascal ↔️ 1 kPa = 1000 Pa

  Atmosphere ↔️ 1 atm ≈ 101,325 Pa
• Atmospheric pressure increases with increasing altitude.

  False
• Steps explaining how atmospheric pressure is caused:

  1️⃣ Gravity pulls air molecules downward

  2️⃣ Weight of air exerts pressure
• Atmospheric pressure is measured in Pascals, Kilopascals, and Atmospheres
• How many Pascals are in a Kilopascal?

  1000 Pa
• Atmospheric pressure in fluids is caused by the weight of the fluid acting over an area
• What effect does gravity have on air molecules in the atmosphere?

  Pulls air molecules downward
• The weight of the air column above a location determines the atmospheric pressure at that point.


  True
• Arrange the following locations in order of decreasing atmospheric pressure:

  1️⃣ Sea Level

  2️⃣ High Altitude
• What is the effect of increasing altitude on atmospheric density?

  Decreases
• When drinking from a straw, the higher atmospheric pressure outside pushes the liquid into the straw
• How do high and low pressure systems in the atmosphere affect weather patterns?

  Drive air mass movement
• An aneroid barometer measures pressure changes using a sealed, flexible metal capsule
• Why are barometers useful for weather forecasting?

  Detect pressure changes