Posted By D. Hilton We all have studied that as pressure increases, temperature also increases. Hence, it is colder at higher altitudes coz of drop in air pressure. I have a doubt here. More air pressure means more numbers of air molecules and more air molecules can absorb more heat and hence shouldnt the overall temperature reduce??? Am I being silly? Yep I think you are, I reckon you been at the scrumpy there prads.

Posted By IOSH Moderator The temperature of the atmosphere around us is influenced by a complex relationship between the incoming radiation from the sun, conduction, convection and loss of heat by radiation from the earth. It is not simply to do with the varying gas pressure. The gas laws, therefore, are not immediately helpful in considering the weather. While an understanding of science is often very important to the study of Health and Safety, it is probably better to focus on a specific example. If the question is too abstract it is often not very helpful. Jane