-If the environmental lapse rate in the figure above is 8°C/km, at what altitude will the air parcel become warmer than its environment?
A)1 km
B)2 km
C)3 km
D)4 km

Question

-If the environmental lapse rate in the figure above is 8°C/km, at what altitude will the air parcel become warmer than its environment?
A)1 km 
B)2 km 
C)3 km 
D)4 km

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The environmental lapse rate is 8°C/km, which means that the temperature of the air decreases by 8°C for every kilometer of altitude. The air parcel will become warmer than its environment when its temperature is greater than the temperature of the surrounding air at the same altitude. This will occur when the air parcel has risen to an altitude where the temperature of the surrounding air is less than the temperature of the air parcel. In the figure, the temperature of the air parcel is 20°C at an altitude of 1 km. The temperature of the surrounding air at an altitude of 1 km is 12°C. Therefore, the air parcel will become warmer than its environment when it rises to an altitude of 3 km.

-If the Environmental Lapse Rate in the Figure Above Is