#edward denecke jr.

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Air pressure is often misunderstood because of our personal experience with pressure involving solids pressing against us, or our bodies pressing against something because of gravity acting on us. Since the molecules of solids are bonded together in a single unit, they act as a single unit. Under the influence of gravity the entire object is pulled downward and exerts a downward pressure. In gases, on the other hand, each tiny molecule acts independently. Gravity pulls the object down; but since it is hurling through space, the effect is like that of gravity acting on a baseball speeding toward home. The ball sinks in a downward trajectory but still exerts a sizeable horizontal force, as any professional catcher will attest. Think of gases as millions of tiny baseballs flying in all directions at the same time.

Edward J. Denecke Jr., Earth Science the Physical Setting