How does increasing temperature affect density altitude?

How does increasing temperature affect density altitude?

• A. Density altitude increases while air density increases.
• B. Density altitude decreases; air density decreases.
• C. Density altitude increases; air density decreases.
• D. Density altitude remains constant.

Answer: (C)

When temperature goes up, air becomes less dense. Density altitude is the altitude in the standard atmosphere where the air density matches the current air density. So as temperature increases and air density decreases, you have to go up to a higher altitude in the standard model to match that lower density. In other words, hotter air makes density altitude rise. That’s why the correct description is: density altitude increases; air density decreases. The other ideas don’t fit because higher temperature does not increase air density, and density altitude does not stay constant or decrease as temperature rises.

When temperature goes up, air becomes less dense. Density altitude is the altitude in the standard atmosphere where the air density matches the current air density. So as temperature increases and air density decreases, you have to go up to a higher altitude in the standard model to match that lower density. In other words, hotter air makes density altitude rise.

That’s why the correct description is: density altitude increases; air density decreases. The other ideas don’t fit because higher temperature does not increase air density, and density altitude does not stay constant or decrease as temperature rises.