Temperature Decrease in Atmospheric Layers
The temperature variation with altitude is a key characteristic used to define atmospheric layers.
- The Troposphere, the atmospheric layer closest to Earth's surface, is characterized by a decrease in temperature as altitude increases.
- This rate of decrease is known as the environmental lapse rate.
- In the Troposphere, the temperature typically decreases at an average rate of about $0.6^\circ\text{C}$ per $100\text{ m}$ (or $6.4^\circ\text{C}$ per kilometer).
- This specific temperature profile matches the condition mentioned in the question.
- Other layers, such as the Stratosphere, exhibit temperature increases with height, while the Thermosphere also shows increasing temperatures at higher altitudes, but via different mechanisms and at much higher levels.
Therefore, the layer where temperature decreases with height at an average rate of about $0.6^\circ\text{C}$ per $100\text{ m}$ is the Troposphere.
Important Questions from Atmosphere
Which of the following statements with reference to Surface inversion of temperature is/are correct? 1. It causes instability in the lower layers of the atmosphere. 2. This inversion commonly lasts for a few hours until the Sun comes up.
Identify the cloud on the basis of the following characteristics: I. They look like cotton wool. II. They exist in patches and have flat base. III. They are generally formed at a height of 4 to 7 km.
Which of the following statements with reference to Surface inversion of temperature is/are correct?
1. It causes instability in the lower layers of the atmosphere.
2. This inversion commonly lasts for a few hours until the Sun comes up.Identify the cloud on the basis of the following characteristics:
I. They look like cotton wool.
II. They exist in patches and have flat base.
III. They are generally formed at a height of 4 to 7 km.Given below are two statements :
Statement (I): Atmospheric stability is important because it determines the ability of pollutants to disperse vertically in the atmosphere.
Statement (II): In summer season in India. the atmosphere is generally stable.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given
