Question

Mt Everest is at a height of 8850m. Its base is at an elevation of 5400m. The temperature here drops at the rate of 1 degree per 100 meters. If the temperature at the base is $- 5^\circ C$ , what is the temperature at the top?
A. $- 40^\circ C$
B. $- 39.5^\circ C$
C. $- 40.5^\circ C$
D. $- 39^\circ C$

Answer 1

Hint: The height of the Mt Everest from the base can be found by using the total height and the base height. As the rate of temperature drop is given, by subtracting the temperature drop from the temperature at the base, the temperature at the top can be obtained.

Complete step by step answer:
According to the given data,
Height of the Mt Everest = 8850m
Height of the base = 5400m

Height of Mt Everest from the base = 8850 – 5400 = 3450m
The temperature drops at a rate of 1 degree per 100 meters. For 3450m, the temperature drop will be
$\Rightarrow$ Temperature drop = $\dfrac{{3450}}{{100}}$
$\Rightarrow$ Temperature drop = $34.5^\circ C$
It is given that the temperature at the base is $- 5^\circ C$ . Hence the temperature at the top of the Mt Everest will be,
$\Rightarrow$ The temperature at the top = $- 5^\circ C - 34.5^\circ C$
$\Rightarrow$ The temperature at the top = $- 39.5^\circ C$
$\therefore$ The temperature at the top of the Mt Everest will be $- 39.5^\circ C$

So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: While calculating the temperature drop, the height of Mt Everest from the base should only be considered instead of the total height. Because in the given data we have the temperature at the base.