What is atmospheric pressure?

Atmospheric pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the weight of the air in the atmosphere. This pressure is the result of the gravitational force acting on the air molecules that make up the atmosphere. As we go higher in altitude, the weight of the air above diminishes, leading to a decrease in atmospheric pressure.

The concept is crucial in understanding various meteorological phenomena, the behavior of gases, and even human physiology since it influences how we experience weather changes and altitude effects. Atmospheric pressure is typically measured in units such as pascals or millibars and is commonly associated with weather patterns, but it is fundamentally about the weight of air in the atmosphere acting on any surface.