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What Is Altitude? — Reading Comprehension

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This reading passage delves into the concept of altitude, defining it as the height above a reference point, typically sea level. It explores how altitude affects key environmental factors like air pressure and temperature, providing a foundational understanding for students. The passage explains the importance of altitude in various fields, from aviation and meteorology to geography, and provides real-world examples like mountain climbing and air travel. This text is designed to align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), specifically connecting to the Disciplinary Core Idea of ESS2: Earth's Systems. It helps students understand the interconnections between Earth's systems and human activity. This passage is also audio-integrated, making it accessible for diverse learners and an excellent resource for classroom instruction and independent study. The content is suitable for elementary and middle school science curricula, introducing core concepts in a clear and engaging manner.

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Mountain, a plane, and a cloud at different heights above sea level. — Altitude is measured from sea level up a mountain and into the atmosphere.

What Is Altitude?

Altitude is the height of a place or object above sea level. Sea level is the place where the ocean meets the land. It is used as the starting point for measuring how high something is, because the ocean’s surface is almost the same height everywhere in the world.

For example, the beach is at 0 feet altitude because it is right at sea level. Your town might be a few hundred feet above sea level. Denver, Colorado is called the “Mile High City” because it is 5,280 feet above sea level! Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, rises to a huge altitude of 29,032 feet. Even higher, airplanes often fly at 35,000 feet above sea level.

How Does Altitude Affect Us?

As altitude increases, the air gets thinner. This means there is less air pressure, and it is harder to breathe or run. That’s why people and animals can feel tired more quickly on high mountains. Also, the higher you go, the colder it gets. Mountain tops often have snow, even in summer, because the temperature drops as altitude goes up.

At high places, air pressure is lower. That’s why your ears might pop when you drive up a mountain. Water also boils at a lower temperature, so cooking takes longer the higher you go.

Measuring Altitude and Life at High Altitudes

Special tools called altimeters are used in airplanes and hiking watches to measure altitude. Some animals, like mountain goats, yaks, and condors, have special adaptations to live high up where there is less air and it’s much colder.

Altitude is like counting steps on an imaginary staircase from the ocean up toward space. The higher you go, the more things change!

Interesting Fact: Climbers on Mount Everest need oxygen tanks because the air is so thin, it is difficult to breathe without extra oxygen!

What is altitude?

Height above sea levelDepth below the oceanTemperature on a mountainDistance across a city

Why do we use sea level?

Same height everywhereIt is warmerIt is saferIt is easier to swim

What happens as altitude increases?

Air gets thinnerAir gets thickerIt gets warmerWater boils slower

Why do your ears pop on mountains?

Lower air pressureMore windHigh humiditySun is brighter

Which animal lives at high altitude?

Mountain goatSharkCamelDolphin