3. Atmospheric Stability

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?

   Hint

   Remember it’s related to the cooling of rising air.

2. 2.

   Define mixing height.

   Hint

   Think about where pollutants can dissipate.

3. 3.

   What is the adiabatic lapse rate?

   • -0.0098 °C/m
   • 0.0098 °C/m
   • -0.001 °C/m

   Hint

   Think about the cooling concept.

4. 4.

   True or False: The environmental lapse rate is always equal to the adiabatic lapse rate.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Remember the definitions of both rates.

5. 5.

   Given a temperature of 30 °C at sea level and a temperature of 10 °C at 1000m, calculate the environmental lapse rate and determine its stability.

   Hint

   Use the formula for lapse rate and compare to the adiabatic lapse rate.

6. 6.

   Discuss how a temperature inversion could affect local air quality over a city.

   Hint

   Think about how pollution behavior changes with temperature differences.