The temperature at the foot of a mountain is 20°C. If the mountain is 6,000 metres above sea level, what will be the approximate temperature at the top of t...
The temperature at the foot of a mountain is 20°C. If the mountain is 6,000 metres above sea level, what will be the approximate temperature at the top of the mountain?
Answer Details
As we go higher in altitude, the temperature decreases because the air becomes thinner and there is less atmospheric pressure to trap heat. This phenomenon is known as the lapse rate.
On average, the temperature decreases by about 6.5°C for every 1,000 meters increase in altitude. Therefore, if the mountain is 6,000 meters above sea level, the temperature at the top of the mountain will be approximately 6.5°C x 6 = 39°C lower than the temperature at the foot of the mountain.
So, the temperature at the top of the mountain will be approximately 20°C - 39°C = -19°C.
However, please note that this is just an approximation, and actual temperature changes can be influenced by many factors, including weather conditions, wind, and geography.