Air Pressure
⭐ MasteredAir pressure is the force of air molecules pushing on everything. At sea level the air pushes with about the weight of a small car on every square metre.
You can feel air pressure when your ears pop in a fast lift or on an aeroplane.
All about Air Pressure
Air pressure is the force that air molecules exert on every surface. At sea level it is strong enough to support a column of mercury about 760 millimetres high.
Air pressure changes with height, so it is lower on mountains. That is why your ears pop on a fast lift or in an aeroplane.
Air is made of tiny molecules of gas, and these molecules have weight. Air pressure is the force they produce as they push on everything around them. Because you live at the bottom of a huge ocean of air, you do not feel the pressure, since your body pushes back with the same force from inside.
At sea level, the air pushes on every square metre with about the weight of a small car. Scientists use a barometer to measure air pressure, and changes in pressure can help predict the weather.
🎮 Try it yourself!
Loading…
Real-life uses of Air Pressure
- Predicting weather using barometers
- Explaining how drinking straws work
- Designing pressurised aircraft cabins
Frequently asked questions about Air Pressure
What causes air pressure?
Air molecules move and push on surfaces, and the total push is air pressure.
Why does air pressure drop on mountains?
There is less air above you, so there are fewer molecules pushing down.