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Here is my question, stupid it may be but here it goes. The closer to the sun that you get, the hotter it is correct? Then why is there snow on top of the mountains around here?
We are too far away from the sun for the difference in distance between sea level and mountain tops to be a factor. We are, however, surrounded by space, and space is cold, very cold. So the closer to space we get the thinner the atmosphere (it has to end somewhere) and the colder it is. Once we get past our atmosphere the temperature drops close to absolute zero (0 kelvin).
We are too far away from the sun for the difference in distance between sea level and mountain tops to be a factor. We are, however, surrounded by space, and space is cold, very cold. So the closer to space we get the thinner the atmosphere (it has to end somewhere) and the colder it is. Once we get past our atmosphere the temperature drops close to absolute zero (0 kelvin).
Stolen from Wikipedia:
Mountains are colder than lower ground, because the Sun heats Earth from the ground up. The Sun's radiation travels through the atmosphere to the ground, where Earth absorbs the heat. Air closest to the Earth's surface is, in general, warmest (see lapse rate for details). Air as high as a mountain is poorly warmed and, therefore, cold.[9] Air temperature normally drops 1 to 2 degrees Celsius (1.8 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) for each 300 meters (1000 feet) of altitude.
here is a question for you Allison,see if you know.Why does the southern hemisphere have reverse seasons from the northern?Christmas happens in summertime in Australia
In the same vein: Why does the water rotate in the opposite direction when you drain a sink in the southern hemisphere? As do tornadoes and hurricanes?
In the same vein: Why does the water rotate in the opposite direction when you drain a sink in the southern hemisphere? As do tornadoes and hurricanes?
Actually it doesn't. Drains aren't big enough to experience the coriolis effect. The direction the water goes down a drain has to do with assymmetries (sp? I'm too lazy to look it up today) in the sink/tub.
Here is my question, stupid it may be but here it goes. The closer to the sun that you get, the hotter it is correct? Then why is there snow on top of the mountains around here?
Hmmm? Not sure but I'll take a guess. Less atmosphere to hold heat in?
I don't think the distance from ocean level to mountain top is really enough for it to make much difference in the temperature but atmospheric pressure is quite different on the top of a mountain so there's less atmosphere to hold heat which radiates up from the ground.
I'm certifed to teath chemistry, physics and math not earth science so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Doh, should have read the other posts before I posted my answer. At least I was right.
here is a question for you Allison,see if you know.Why does the southern hemisphere have reverse seasons from the northern?Christmas happens in summertime in Australia
Interesting question to ask. A little trivia on this one. MOST college grads get it wrong. Many people are of the mistaken impression that it has to do with the earth's orbit around the sun being eliptical (it's almost circular). It doesn't.
Second bit of trivia: The reason many people think the orbit is elipitical and misakenly think that has to do with seasons is that most texts show an angled view of the solar system (not edge on but not looking directly down either) and draw in the orbits, so it looks eliptical (a circile viewed from an angle looks eliptical) when it's really just about circular. This belief appears to have been carried into adulthood by many. It's so strong most college grads think this is the reason (well the non science majors anyway).
Last edited by Ivorytickler; 06-08-2008 at 09:15 AM..
Actually it doesn't. Drains aren't big enough to experience the coriolis effect. The direction the water goes down a drain has to do with assymmetries (sp? I'm too lazy to look it up today) in the sink/tub.
Actually, they are. Samantha Brown did a bit on it in Ecuador. They had two tubs full of water, one on the North side of the equator, one on the South side. They filled each with water and pulled the plugs. The water ran in opposite directions as it drained.
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