Question

joe, a hiker, stands at the top of a hill on a trail above the ocean. joes friend dave is just starting out at the trailhead, which is at the beach. which statement about this scenario is accurate? the air joe is breathing is denser than the air at sea level. the air pressure is higher where joe is than where dave is. if joe keeps going up, air pressure will continue to decrease. the air joe is breathing is denser than the air dave is breathing.

Explanation:

Air pressure decreases with altitude. As Joe is at a higher altitude than Dave (who is at sea - level/trailhead), if Joe keeps ascending, the altitude will increase further, and air pressure will continue to decrease.

• The air at higher altitudes (where Joe is) is less dense than at sea - level. So, the statements about the air Joe is breathing being denser (either compared to sea - level or Dave's air) are incorrect.
• Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes. So, the statement that air pressure is higher where Joe is (higher altitude) than where Dave is (lower altitude/sea - level) is incorrect.

Answer:

If Joe keeps going up, air pressure will continue to decrease.