Air temperatures usually will decrease with height most rapidly during _______ and will usually decrease least rapidly (or even increase during inversions)during ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the day, the sun heats the surface of the earth which in turn warms the air directly above. As the height increases, the air becomes less dense and its temperature decreases. This creates a phenomenon known as the "diurnal temperature range", where air temperatures usually decrease rapidly with height during the day. At night, however, the surface of the earth cools rapidly and this in turn cools the air which is in contact with it. This creates a stable layer of colder air near the surface called "inversion", which can cause air temperatures to increase with height instead of decreasing. However, this is not always the case and inversions can also occur during the day, especially in areas with strong high pressure systems. Therefore, the best choice is B, as it correctly identifies the general patterns of temperature change with height during the day and at night.

Air Temperatures Usually Will Decrease with Height Most Rapidly During