What happens to the air pressure as temperatures rise?

As temperatures rise, air pressure generally decreases. This phenomenon can be explained through the relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of air molecules. As temperature increases, the energy of the air molecules also increases, causing them to move more vigorously and spread apart. This expansion results in a lower density of air molecules in a given volume.

When the air molecules are further apart due to this increased energy, there are fewer air molecules present to exert pressure on their surroundings. Consequently, the overall pressure in the atmosphere decreases as temperatures rise. This principle is fundamental in meteorology and is a key factor in understanding weather patterns, such as the formation of high and low-pressure systems.