Question

Approximately how does the density of air vary with altitude?

Short answer

Air density is less at higher altitudes.

Step-by-step solution

Describing the scenario

At higher altitudes, the amount of air is very less. Air molecules are spread at farther distances. The absence of sufficient gas molecules at higher altitudes can also be understood from breathing problems caused to people at higher altitudes.

Explanation

Since the gas molecules spread more at higher altitudes, they occupy more space. That means the volume increases. Density is mass per unit volume of a body. So, density and volume are inversely related.

So, the density of the air decreases with altitude.