At the Earth's surface, at which of the following temperatures does a rising saturated air parcel cool most rapidly?
A)0°C
B)10°C
C)-12°C
D)20°C

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate at which a rising saturated air parcel cools is dependent on the temperature of the surrounding environment. The colder the environment, the faster the parcel will cool. The dry adiabatic lapse rate is a constant rate of cooling of approximately 10°C per kilometer, while the saturated adiabatic lapse rate is a variable rate of cooling that is dependent on the temperature of the surrounding environment. At -12°C, the surrounding environment is relatively cold, resulting in a faster rate of cooling for a rising saturated air parcel compared to the other given temperatures.

At the Earth's Surface, at Which of the Following Temperatures