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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.

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14y ago
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AnswerBot

5mo ago

The atmosphere does experience the force of gravity, but the air molecules are constantly moving and exerting pressure in all directions. This pressure is what keeps the atmosphere from being flattened against the Earth's surface. Additionally, the Earth's gravitational force is not strong enough to overcome the constant motion of the air molecules within the atmosphere.

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Q: Why doesn't gravity flatten the atmosphere against Earth's surface?
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This holds a planet's atmosphere close to its surface?

Gravity holds a planet's atmosphere close to its surface. The gravitational force of the planet's mass prevents the gases in the atmosphere from escaping into space. Without gravity, the atmosphere would disperse into space.


Why there is no atmosphere on the moon?

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Which force holds the atmosphere to the earth?

The force that holds the atmosphere to the Earth is gravity. Gravity is the force of attraction between all objects and it keeps the gases in our atmosphere close to the Earth's surface.


The atmosphere is held in place by Earth's?

The atmosphere is held in place by Earth's gravity. Gravity keeps the gases of the atmosphere from drifting off into space and creates a force that pulls them towards the planet's surface. Without gravity, the atmosphere would dissipate into space.


What holds the gases of the atmosphere near earth surface?

Gravity holds the gases of the atmosphere near Earth's surface. The force of gravity pulls the gases towards the Earth, preventing them from escaping into space.


What is the atmosphere bound to the earth by?

The force of gravity binds the hydrosphere and lower atmosphere to earth.


Why there is not atmosphare on the moon surface?

The Moon does not have enough gravity to retain an atmosphere.


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.


Why does the atmosphere of the Earth float above the planet's surface?

The atmosphere of Earth is held in place by gravity. Gravity pulls air molecules towards Earth's surface, creating atmospheric pressure that keeps the atmosphere from floating away into space.


What keeps the layers of the atmosphere from diffusing into space?

The Earth's gravity is what keeps the layers of the atmosphere from diffusing into space. The particles of the atmosphere are held close to the surface of the Earth by gravity, creating a stable layer of gases around our planet.


Why do the gases in the earth atmosphere stay close to the surface of the planet?

Gases in the Earth's atmosphere stay close to the surface due to the force of gravity acting on them. Gravity pulls the gases towards the center of the planet, keeping them from escaping into space. The mass of the Earth is sufficient to maintain an atmosphere that surrounds the planet.