Temperature at different altitudes

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that temperature decreases with altitude due to the lower density of air at higher elevations. Despite being closer to the sun, hill stations remain cooler than sea level because approximately 85% of atmospheric heat originates from the Earth's surface, not the sun. The effect of altitude on temperature is significantly more impactful than the minimal difference in distance to the sun. This phenomenon explains why hill stations are preferred for cooler climates during sunny days.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atmospheric science
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with altitude effects on climate
  • Concept of air density and temperature correlation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between altitude and temperature in meteorology
  • Explore the principles of thermodynamics related to heat transfer
  • Study the composition and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere
  • Investigate the impact of solar radiation on surface temperatures
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Students of atmospheric science, meteorologists, and anyone interested in understanding climate variations at different altitudes.

kkskarin
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During sunny days we prefer going to hill stations. But even during the morning, the hill stations are cool. But they must be hot as they are closer to the sun than the land at sea level. Why is that so?
 
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The distance from the Earth to the Sun on average is about 150 MILLION kilometers. The few hundred to few thousand feet closer that a hill might get you is miniscule. The effect of the atmosphere is drastically larger than that of the distance. Because you are higher in altitude, the air is less dense and is generally colder than it is near sea level.
 
kkskarin said:
During sunny days we prefer going to hill stations. But even during the morning, the hill stations are cool. But they must be hot as they are closer to the sun than the land at sea level. Why is that so?

About eighty-five percent of the atmosphere's heat comes from the surface of the Earth. Only about fifteen percent comes from the Sun. Therefore, the closer you are to the mean elevation of the surface of the Earth, the warmer you will be.
 

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