Questions: At a particular height in the atmosphere, an air parcel has a temperature of 15°C, while the environmental temperature is 18°C. Based on these temperatures, the atmosphere at this height is: unstable stable

At a particular height in the atmosphere, an air parcel has a temperature of 15°C, while the environmental temperature is 18°C. Based on these temperatures, the atmosphere at this height is:
unstable
stable

Transcript text: At a particular height in the atmosphere, an air parcel has a temperature of $15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$, while the environmental temperature is $18^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$. Based on these temperatures, the atmosphere at this height is: unstable stable

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding Atmospheric Stability

Atmospheric stability is determined by comparing the temperature of an air parcel to the temperature of the surrounding environment. If the air parcel is warmer than the environment, it will rise, indicating an unstable atmosphere. Conversely, if the air parcel is cooler than the environment, it will sink, indicating a stable atmosphere.

Step 2: Comparing Temperatures

Given:

Temperature of the air parcel: $15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$
Environmental temperature: $18^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$

Since $15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ (air parcel) is less than $18^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ (environment), the air parcel is cooler than the surrounding air.

Step 3: Determining Stability

A cooler air parcel will tend to sink because it is denser than the warmer surrounding air. This indicates that the atmosphere at this height is stable.

Final Answer

$\boxed{\text{stable}}$

Was this solution helpful?

Unhelpful

Helpful

Questions asked by other users

< Previous Next >

Thank you for your feedback.

Copied!