Why does warmer air rise?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of the physical principle that causes warmer air to rise, which is related to concepts of density and buoyancy in the atmosphere.
Answer
Because warmer air is less dense than cooler air.
The final answer is because warmer air is less dense than cooler air.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is because warmer air is less dense than cooler air.
More Information
Warmer air rises due to the principle of buoyancy. As the temperature of air increases, its molecules move faster and spread apart, decreasing its density. As a result, this less dense air is displaced upwards by the surrounding cooler and denser air.
Tips
A common mistake is to think that warmer air rises because it is lighter in weight. While it is true that it is less dense, it is more accurate to say it rises because of the difference in density compared to the surrounding air.
Sources
- Why Warm Air Rises - NASA - climatekids.nasa.gov
- Air Density and Temperature: How They Work Together - sciencing.com
