Air pressure is
A) the force of gravity on a body at the surface.
B) the force that air molecules exert on a surface due to their weight.
C) higher at higher altitudes.
D) higher at higher temperatures.
E) a measure of the average speed of the air molecules.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pressure is defined as force per unit area, and air pressure is the force that the air molecules exert on a surface due to their weight. The weight of air molecules pressing down on the Earth's surface creates atmospheric pressure. The other choices are not accurate explanations of air pressure.

Air Pressure Is