4.2. Adiabatic Expansion and Cooling

Try these first

1. 1.

   What happens to the temperature of an air parcel as it rises?

   Hint

   Think about the relationship between height and temperature.

2. 2.

   Define environmental lapse rate.

   Hint

   What do we measure when looking at temperature changes in the atmosphere?

3. 3.

   What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?

   • 0°C/km
   • -9.8°C/km
   • -3°C/km

   Hint

   Remember the critical number discussed about temperature change with height.

4. 4.

   True or False: In stable atmospheric conditions, pollutants tend to disperse rapidly.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about how stability impacts air movement.

5. 5.

   Consider a city experiencing temperature inversions during winter. Discuss how this impacts the air quality and potential health effects on residents.

   Hint

   Reflect on what pollutants might be trapped and the time of year.

6. 6.

   A particular region has a mean mixing height of 500 meters during the day. If a pollutant is released from a factory, at what layer might it remain trapped under stable conditions?

   Hint

   Consider the relevance of mixing height in the dispersion of released pollutants.