Why are higher elevations colder?

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Images

Diagram of Earth's atmosphere layers-troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere-showing how temperature and air pressure change with increasing altitude, with key features like the ozone layer and pressure percentages at various heights.

Graph showing different atmospheric layers, indicating altitude and pressure variations, with examples including Mount Everest, clouds, commercial airliners, and weather balloons.

Why are higher elevations colder?: Media

Images

Diagram of Earth's atmosphere layers-troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere-showing how temperature and air pressure change with increasing altitude, with key features like the ozone layer and pressure percentages at various heights.

Layers of Earth's atmosphere

The layers of Earth's atmosphere, with a yellow line showing the air temperature...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Graph showing different atmospheric layers, indicating altitude and pressure variations, with examples including Mount Everest, clouds, commercial airliners, and weather balloons.

How atmospheric pressure differs at different altitudes

Near the surface of the Earth, atmospheric pressure decreases almost linearly with...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.