ELI5 Altitude and Heat - why is it colder at higher elevations?

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast

If hot air rises and cold air falls, why is it generally hotter at lower elevations and colder at higher elevations? Why is the temperature near the equator hotter than at the poles of the earth? Why is Death Valley the hottest place on Earth when it’s not near the equator?

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Thank you to Robert for Pittsburgh, Pa. for writing in with this question.

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: cursed_gungan, mrs_roronoa, drcrno, purple_haze96 and the_origina_retro

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