0
Why doesn't gravity flatten the atmosphere against Earth's surface?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
It does, actually. Gravity pulls down on the atmosphere (otherwise it would spin off into space from centripetal force). That is why at sea level, the atmospheric pressure is about 15 pounds per square inch; but the higher you get, the thinner the air is.
Here is something interesting (and kind of on the same subject) when Pluto is at Aphelion it's atmosphere becomes a solid and gravity pulls it to the surface.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why do the gases in the earth atmosphere stay close to the surface of the planet?
Mostly for the same reason you stay close to the surface of the planet - gravity!
How does the amount of gravity on a planet affect the thickness of the atmosphere?
It is not a linear relation but, the larger the planet, the greater the gravity, the more it is able to attract and keep.
Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the atmosphere against the of the earth?
surface.
What units would be used to describe the surface gravity of earth?
the atmosphere if by "surface gravity", you mean the potential energy forced upon us by gravitational pull, then it's joules. If you mean the actual force of the gravity, it's newtons. (also known as our weight.)
What happens to objects that enter the earths atmosphere?
the objects which enter the earths atmosphere are being pulled down towards the earths surface due to the earths gravity. And so it leads to falling falling of large objects from the space on the surface of the earth.
Why there is no atmosphere on the moon?
There is no atmosphere on the Moon because it does not have sufficient gravity to hold an atmosphere to it's surface.
This holds a planet's atmosphere close to its surface?
What is Gravity?
Why there is not atmosphare on the moon surface?
The Moon does not have enough gravity to retain an atmosphere.
Why is the atmosphere above the surface of the earth?
Where else would it be? The atmosphere is a compilation of gasses held to the Earth by gravity.
Why their is no air in space?
The atmosphere we breath is held round the earth's surface due to earth's gravity. Without this gravity, earth's atmosphere would disperse into space. Because our moon's gravity is weak, so there is no atmosphere on the moon.
What force holds the atmosphere to earths surface as it travels through space?
Gravity.
Why do asteroids affect the surface of the Earth and the Moon differently?
That has to do with gravity and Earth's atmosphere.
What is the relationship between the moon and surface gravity lack of atmosphere and temperature range?
The Moon's gravity causes the lack of atmosphere (any possible atmosphere evaporates out into space in a fairly short time); and the lack of atmosphere causes the extreme temperatures.
What is the relationship between the moon surface gravity lack of atmosphere and temperature range?
The Moon's gravity causes the lack of atmosphere (any possible atmosphere evaporates out into space in a fairly short time); and the lack of atmosphere causes the extreme temperatures.
Why do you have most of atmosphere near the surface of the earth?
Near surface gravity is more strong which hold atmospher strongly then high
Is gravity oxygen?
No, oxygen is a gas that is part of the several gases that make up the atmosphere we breath. Gravity is the force that not only keeps our atmosphere from disappearing into space, but keeps our feet firmly on Earth's surface.
Does jupter have gravity and a atmosphere?
Gravity: Of course it has gravity. Any planet - moreover, any object that has mass (mass is what you measure in kilograms) has gravity. Atmosphere: You might say that Jupiter consists only of atmosphere. It is a gas giant, just as Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune. Specifically, it doesn't have a surface on which you might stand.
