The atmosphere around the earth would rush off into space if the vertical pressure gradient force were not balanced by ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gravity is the force that keeps the atmosphere of the Earth from being blown off into space. The vertical pressure gradient force occurs because air pressure decreases with increasing altitude, and gravity acts to prevent this "thinning out" of the atmosphere by pulling air molecules back down toward the surface. The other forces listed, including the Coriolis force, horizontal pressure gradient force, and centripetal force, do not directly balance the vertical pressure gradient force in this way.

The Atmosphere Around the Earth Would Rush Off into Space