5.2. Influence of Mechanical and Thermal Forces on Dispersion

Try these first

1. 1.

   What happens to air parcels when they are warmer than the surrounding air?

   Hint

   Think about why hot air balloons rise.

2. 2.

   Define the environmental lapse rate.

   Hint

   Consider the temperature changes you experience as you climb a mountain.

3. 3.

   What defines environmental lapse rate?

   • An increase in temperature with height
   • A decrease in temperature with height
   • Constant temperature regardless of height

   Hint

   Think about how climbing a mountain changes your temperature experience.

4. 4.

   True or False: Warmer air is less buoyant than cooler air.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall the behavior of hot air balloons.

5. 5.

   Consider a city with a history of air quality issues during the winter months. Analyze how temperature inversions could impact pollutant levels.

   Hint

   Consider how geography interacts with weather to influence air quality.

6. 6.

   If an air parcel rises 1500 meters with a starting temperature of 300K, calculate its final temperature using the dry adiabatic lapse rate.

   Hint

   Recollect the lapse rate formula and starting temperature.