If your environmental lapse rate is 17 C/km on a partly cloudy afternoon, then the atmosphere is said to be:
A) absolutely unstable.
B) conditionally unstable.
C) absolutely stable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the environmental lapse rate is greater than the dry adiabatic lapse rate (9.8 C/km), the atmosphere is considered absolutely unstable because any parcel of air that is lifted will continue to rise since it will always be warmer than the surrounding air.

If Your Environmental Lapse Rate Is 17 C/km on a Partly