Background: As shown here, pressure decreases to less than 25% of ground-level atmospheric pressure when we get to an altitude of about six miles. Since this is a common cruising altitude for commercial airplanes, pressurized cabins are needed for the comfort and survival of the passengers. This is because the density of the air decreases along with the decreasing air pressure, so there is less oxygen in a breath of air. You've probably noticed this effect in high-mountain areas, as it often feels harder to breath.

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Is the air pressure higher or lower where Marco is sitting?
Answer: higher

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Is the air pressure higher or lower where Lauren is sitting?
Answer: lower

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Is the air by Marco more or less dense than the air by Lauren?
Answer: more

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Is the air by Lauren more or less dense than the air by Marco?
Answer: less

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Who will find it more difficult to breathe?
Answer: Lauren

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Who will find it less difficult to breathe?
Answer: Marco

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Who gets more oxygen per breath?
Answer: Marco

Situation: Marco is sitting at the bottom of a mountain and painting a picture of it. Lauren, Marco's friend, is sitting about halfway up the mountain and painting a picture of the horizon. The two will compare paintings after they complete their drawings and then will switch places and repeat the task. These two friends do this a couple times a year, and they always enjoy seeing how the other person paints the same object.

Question: Who gets less oxygen per breath?
Answer: Lauren

Situation: Pam and Angela live in different cities and are talking to each other on the phone while they are sitting outside. Pam lives in Dunder, a city located at sea level, and Angela lives in Mifflin, a city up high in the mountains. Although they don't get to see each other much any more due to the distance between them, they make sure to stay in regular contact.

Question: Which woman gets more oxygen per single breath?
Answer: Pam

Situation: Pam and Angela live in different cities and are talking to each other on the phone while they are sitting outside. Pam lives in Dunder, a city located at sea level, and Angela lives in Mifflin, a city up high in the mountains. Although they don't get to see each other much any more due to the distance between them, they make sure to stay in regular contact.

Question: Which woman gets less oxygen per single breath?
Answer: Angela