Altitude and Elevation *
*Note: This is an abbreviated Project Idea, without notes to start your background research, a specific list of materials, or a procedure for how to do the experiment. You can identify abbreviated Project Ideas by the asterisk at the end of the title. If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk.
Abstract
As you move up or down in altitude or elevation, the temperature and pressure will change. This is particularly striking if you live near a mountain range. During the summer, at low altitudes you may have temperatures in the 80's or 90's and still be able to see snow on mountain peaks at high altitude. You can test the effect of altitude by comparing temperature data from weather stations at high and low altitudes. You can test the effect of elevation by making your own weather balloon and sending it up to measure temperature and pressure at different heights as measured by a string. You could also have your parents drive you through the mountains and measure the temperature and pressure as you increase in elevation. (FI, 2006; GLOBE, 2006; NCAR, 2006; NOAA, 2006; Unisys, 2006; Weather Underground, 2006; WMO, 2006)Share your story with Science Buddies!
Yes,
I Did This Project!
Please log in (or create a free account) to let us know how things went.
Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"Altitude and Elevation." Science Buddies,
28 July 2017,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Weather_p020/weather-atmosphere/altitude-and-elevation.
Accessed 18 Dec. 2018.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2017, July 28).
Altitude and Elevation.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Weather_p020/weather-atmosphere/altitude-and-elevation
Last edit date: 2017-07-28
Bibliography
- FI, 2006. "Franklin's Forecast," The Franklin Institute. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.fi.edu/weather/.
- GLOBE, 2006. "The GLOBE Program: Measurements: Protocols," GLOBE, managed jointly by UCAR and CSU. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.globe.gov/do-globe/globe-teachers-guide
- NCAR, 2006. "NCAR Science and Education Outreach Page," National Center for Atmospheric Research. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from https://scied.ucar.edu/.
- NOAA, 2006. "NOAA Homepage," National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.noaa.gov/.
- Unisys Corp, 2006. "Unisys Weather," Blue Bell, PA. Retrieved March 9, 2006, from http://weather.unisys.com/.
- The Weather Underground, Inc, 2005. "The Weather Underground," Ann Arbor, MI. Retrieved December 13, 2005, from http://www.wunderground.com/.
- WMO, 2006. "World Meteorological Organization," WMO, United Nations. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from https://public.wmo.int/en.
News Feed on This Topic
Note: A computerized matching algorithm suggests the above articles. It's not as smart as you are, and it may occasionally give humorous, ridiculous, or even annoying results! Learn more about the News Feed
Share your story with Science Buddies!
Yes,
I Did This Project!
Please log in (or create a free account) to let us know how things went.
Ask an Expert
The Ask an Expert Forum is intended to be a place where students can go to find answers to science questions that they have been unable to find using other resources. If you have specific questions about your science fair project or science fair, our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.Ask an Expert
Related Links
If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:
Meteorologist
The atmosphere is a blanket of gases, surrounding Earth, that creates our weather. Meteorologists study the measurements and motion of the atmosphere, and changing events within it, so that they can predict the weather. This weather forecasting helps the general public and people who work in industries such as shipping, air transportation, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and water and power better plan for the weather, and reduce human and economic losses. Read more
Aerospace Engineer
Humans have always longed to fly and to make other things fly, both through the air and into outer space—aerospace engineers are the people that make those dreams come true. They design, build, and test vehicles like airplanes, helicopters, balloons, rockets, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft. Read more
Remote Sensing Scientist or Technologist
Have you ever climbed up high in a tree and then looked at your surroundings? You can learn a lot about your neighborhood by looking down on it. You can see who has a garden, who has a pool, who needs to water their plants, and how your neighbors live. Remote sensing scientists or technologists do a similar thing, except on a larger scale. These professionals apply the principles and methods of remote sensing (using sensors) to analyze data and solve regional, national, and global problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, and climate and weather prediction. Because remote sensing scientists or technologists use a variety of tools, including radio detection and ranging (radar) and light detection and ranging (lidar), to collect data and then store the data in databases, they must be familiar with several different kinds of technologies. Read moreNews Feed on This Topic
Note: A computerized matching algorithm suggests the above articles. It's not as smart as you are, and it may occasionally give humorous, ridiculous, or even annoying results! Learn more about the News Feed
Looking for more science fun?
Try one of our science activities for quick, anytime science explorations. The perfect thing to liven up a rainy day, school vacation, or moment of boredom.
Find an Activity
