The adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of temperature change with height in the atmosphere if air is rising or falling and no heat is added to or removed from the air. The rate at which air temperature changes as it rises or falls is determined by the moist adiabatic lapse rate or the dry adiabatic lapse rate depending on whether the air is saturated (containing water vapor) or not.
The moist adiabatic lapse rate is about 3°C per 1000 m (5.4°F per 1000 ft) of height. The dry adiabatic lapse rate is 10°C per 1000 m (18°F per 1000 ft).
The moist and dry adiabatic lapse rates are not constant but depend on the air temperature. For example the moist adiabatic lapse rate is greater at lower temperatures than at higher temperatures. This is because the rate of water vapor condensation (which releases latent heat) is greater at lower temperatures.
The moist and dry adiabatic lapse rates also depend on the air pressure. For example the dry adiabatic lapse rate is greater at lower pressures than at higher pressures. This is because the air expands more as it rises and more expansion means more cooling.
The moist and dry adiabatic lapse rates are affected by other factors as well such as air humidity cloud cover and wind.
The adiabatic lapse rate is important in weather and climate because it affects the rate at which air rises or falls. For example if air is rising and no heat is added to or removed from the air the air will cool at the dry adiabatic lapse rate. This cooling can cause the air to reach its dew point at which point water vapor will condense and the air will become saturated. The air will then cool at the moist adiabatic lapse rate.
If the air continues to rise it will eventually reach a point at which the temperature is so low that the water vapor will start to sublime (change from a liquid to a gas without first becoming a solid). The air will then cool at the dry adiabatic lapse rate.
The adiabatic lapse rate is also important in climate because it affects the rate at which air warms as it descends. For example if air is descending and no heat is added to or removed from the air the air will warm at the dry adiabatic lapse rate. This warming can cause the air to reach its dew point at which point water vapor will condense and the air will become saturated. The air will then warm at the moist adiabatic lapse rate.
If the air continues to descend it will eventually reach a point at which the temperature is so high that the water vapor will start to sublime (change from a liquid to a gas without first becoming a solid). The air will then warm at the dry adiabatic lapse rate.
What is the adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body.
What causes the adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The adiabatic lapse rate is caused by the expansion and cooling of air as it rises and the compression and heating of air as it falls.
How does the adiabatic lapse rate vary with altitude?
Answer: The adiabatic lapse rate generally decreases with altitude.
What is the impact of the adiabatic lapse rate on weather?
Answer: The adiabatic lapse rate affects weather by helping to create instability in the atmosphere which can lead to thunderstorms.
What is the adiabatic process?
Answer: The adiabatic process is a process in which heat is transferred without any net gain or loss of heat by the system.
What is the difference between the adiabatic process and the diabatic process?
Answer: The difference between the adiabatic process and the diabatic process is that the adiabatic process occurs without any net gain or loss of heat while the diabatic process involves a net gain or loss of heat.
What is an example of the adiabatic process?
Answer: An example of the adiabatic process is the expansion of air as it rises and the compression of air as it falls.
What is an example of the diabatic process?
Answer: An example of the diabatic process is the heating of air by the sun.
What is the difference between the adiabatic lapse rate and the diabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The difference between the adiabatic lapse rate and the diabatic lapse rate is that the adiabatic lapse rate occurs without any net gain or loss of heat while the diabatic lapse rate involves a net gain or loss of heat.
What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The dry adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body and no water vapor is present.
What is the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The wet adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body and water vapor is present.
What is the difference between the dry adiabatic lapse rate and the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The difference between the dry adiabatic lapse rate and the wet adiabatic lapse rate is that the wet adiabatic lapse rate is affected by the presence of water vapor while the dry adiabatic lapse rate is not affected by the presence of water vapor.
What is the standard adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The standard adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body and the air is assumed to be dry and at sea level pressure.
What is the difference between the standard adiabatic lapse rate and the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The difference between the standard adiabatic lapse rate and the dry adiabatic lapse rate is that the standard adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body and the air is assumed to be dry and at sea level pressure while the dry adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body and no water vapor is present.
What is the difference between the standard adiabatic lapse rate and the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
Answer: The difference between the standard adiabatic lapse rate and the wet adiabatic lapse rate is that the standard adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body and the air is assumed to be dry and at sea level pressure while the wet adiabatic lapse rate is the rate of change of temperature with height in the atmosphere when air is rising or falling and is not being heated or cooled by contact with another body and water vapor is present.
