MasteryExams
Geography • Physical GeographyHard

In climatology, what does an 'Environmental Lapse Rate' (ELR) refer to?

A. The rate of temperature decrease with increasing altitude in a stationary atmosphere✓ Correct Answer
B. The rate of temperature change of a rising parcel of unsaturated air
C. The rate of temperature change of a saturated air parcel undergoing condensation
D. The sudden inversion of temperature near the ground during winter nights

💡 Solution & Explanation

The environmental lapse rate describes the actual decrease in atmospheric temperature observed with increasing altitude in a stationary air column at a specific time and place. This value typically averages about 6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer in the lower troposphere. A related fact frequently tested in climatology is the adiabatic lapse rate, which applies to vertically moving parcels of air rather than stationary surroundings.

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