on top/on the top/at the top

0The best choice,, to me, is 'on top'.0-

0Hi YL, do you mind explaining what you think of each of the choices?02br
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00Thanks!0-

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10Hi YL, do you mind explaining what you think of each of the choices?12br
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10Thanks!12br
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10Two lost mountain hikers were rescued when a private plane saw flashing lights [on top/on the top/at the top] of the mountain,02br

0 My preference in this context is "at the top of the mountain". 02br
00It is usable - 02br
00You can see the lights at the top of the mountain. 02br
00The police noted that flashing lights were observed at the top of the mountain. 02br
00When you arrive at the top of the mountain, you have achieved a personal goal. 0-

0My understanding is the top of the mountain means the mountain's top/peak and at is a preposition of location. So I have no problem with this phrase. Please correct me if my interpretation is flawed. 02br
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00On top of something sounds like it's on top and not on the bottom. So top here is used to indicate position. I guess I would use it in contexts where arrangement of

0Any thoughts?0-

I am currently teaching my first grader from China and this is what we have in our workbook: A mouse is sitting on top( of something). Who is on the bottom( of that something)? At is used only if a narrator wants to point a specific point that an object is at.

"on top" simply indicates where something is located which means attached to the highest point or plane of an object. Example top of the table.
"at the top" points to that same highest point of of an object, but in contrast to being enywhere else on the object in question, as far as height is concerned. It's like saying "at the very top" and not just close to it. It could also be figurative, b

on top of the mountain is correct