The temperature at the foot of a mountain is 20oC. if the mountain is 6000 meters above sea level, what will be the temperature at the top of the mountain?

Answer Details

The temperature decreases as altitude (height above sea level) increases. This is because the air becomes less dense as altitude increases, which causes it to cool down. The rate at which the temperature decreases with altitude is called the lapse rate, which is usually around 6.5 degrees Celsius per 1000 meters. In this case, the mountain is 6000 meters above sea level, so the temperature at the top of the mountain can be estimated as follows: Temperature change = Lapse rate x Altitude change Temperature change = 6.5 degrees Celsius/1000m x 6000m Temperature change = 39 degrees Celsius Since the starting temperature at the foot of the mountain is 20 degrees Celsius, we need to subtract the temperature change from this to get the temperature at the top of the mountain: Temperature at top of mountain = Starting temperature - Temperature change Temperature at top of mountain = 20 degrees Celsius - 39 degrees Celsius Temperature at top of mountain = -19 degrees Celsius Therefore, the temperature at the top of the mountain is -19.0oC.