Why is air thinner at higher altitudes?

Earth’s gravity pulls air as close to the surface as possible. As altitude increases, the amount of gas molecules in the air decreases—the air becomes less dense than air nearer to sea level. This is what meteorologists and mountaineers mean by “thin air.” Thin air exerts less pressure than air at a lower altitude.

Does South Africa have high altitude?

South Africa has a mean altitude of about 1,200 m (3,900 ft), and at least 40\% of the surface is at a higher elevation. Parts of Johannesburg are more than 1,800 m (6,000 ft) above sea level.

At what altitude is the air thinner?

At an altitude of 18,000 feet there is much less of the atmosphere pressing down. The concentration of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases is half the concentration at sea level. The air is less dense. This is often referred to as thin air, with molecules more spread out because of the reduced pressure.

Is Johannesburg High altitude?

5,751′
Johannesburg/Elevation
It is loated on the Highveld plateau at an altitude of 1753 metres above sea level. Since the city is not surrounded by mountains, you will not immediately realize that you are at this high altitude and that Johannesburg is this high above sea level.

What is South Africa’s highest mountain?

Mount Ntlenyana
Thabana Ntlenyana, also called Thadentsonyane, Thabantshonyana, or Mount Ntlenyana, mountain peak (11,424 feet [3,482 m]) in the Drakensberg and the highest in Africa south of Kilimanjaro.

Why is breathing difficult at higher altitudes?

The air at higher altitudes is colder, less dense, and contains fewer oxygen molecules. This means that you need to take more breaths in order to get the same amount of oxygen as you would at lower altitudes. The higher the elevation, the more difficult breathing becomes.

Where does air become thinner?

At sea level, the air is being compressed by all of the air in the column. That is a lot of weight, about 10,000 kg per square meter on the surface of the Earth. A significant fraction of that is also sitting on top of you, by the way. All of that weight pushes down hard on the air and compresses it.

Why does South Africa have 3 capital cities?

The reason South Africa has three capitals is in part the result of its political and cultural struggles as a result of the influence of Victorian-era colonialism. Bloemfontein was the capital of the Orange Free State (now Free State) and Pretoria was the capital of Transvaal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bsnSxHo8AY