Adiabatic Processes And Lapse Rates

Question 1

What is the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate

Answer 1

3°C/1000 ft

Question 2

What is the Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate
What is the SALR over Polar Regions
What is the SALR over Tropical Regions

Answer 2

1.8°C/1000ft
2.5°C/1000ft
0.5°C/1000ft

Question 3

What is Environment Lapse Rate
What changes do these bring:
(1)ground temp
(2)time of year
(3)surface(land and sea)
(4)Air mass

Answer 3

Acutal vertical distribution of temp at that time and place
(1)height
(2)lapse rates lower in winter/rainy season
(3)lower over land than sea
(4)diff properties of air mass=diff lapse rates

Question 4

What is Atmospheric Stability

Answer 4

Air’s resistance to an disturbing effect/ability of air to resist narrowing of dew point and temp

Question 5

What is Absolute Stability
What is the relationship of ELR to SALR and DALR(greater/less than)

Answer 5

Parcel of air, after lifting, is cooler than environment, parcel becomes more dense and sinks
ELR<DALR
ELR<SALR

Question 6

What is Absolute Instability
What is the relationship between ELR and DALR
Is ELR steep/shallow

Answer 6

Parcel of air forced to rise under own power after lifting force removed
Happens when parcel of air is warmer than surrounding air
ELR>SALR and DALR
ELR is steep

Question 7

What is Conditional Instability
What is an indicator of Conditional Instability
What is the relationship between ELR and DALR and SALR

Answer 7

If parcel passes dew point during ascent, cools at slower rate and, on further uplift, becomes warmer than surrounding environment, becoming unstable
High dew points indicate CI
ELR between SALR and DALR

Question 8

What is the relationship between ELR and DALR and SALR in Neutral Stability

Answer 8

ELR=SALR/DALR

Question 9

What is the relationship between ELR and DALR and SALR in:
Stable air
Conditionally unstable air
Unstable air

Answer 9

Stable: ELR<SALR<DALR
CU: SALR<ELR<DALR
Unstable:SALR<DALR<ELR

Question 10

What flight characteristics are expected in unstable and stable air;
1-vis
2-cloud
3-precip
4-wind
5-flying conditions

Answer 10

Stable:
1-poor
2-stratiform
3-steady rain/drizzle
4-steady,light
5-smooth

Unstable:
1-good
2-Cu
3-Showers
4-gusty
5-turbulent

Question 11

With regards to isothermal layer, what happens with ELR(pos, negative or zero) when temp:
1-decreases with height
2-increases with height
3-is constant with height

Answer 11

1-ELR is positive
2-ELR is negative
3-ELR is zero

Question 12

Is a parcel of air stable, unstable, Conditionally unstable, absolutely stable or neutrally stable when:
1-ELR<DALR
2-ELR<SALR
3-ELR>DALR
4-ELR between DALR and SALR
5-ELR=DALR(dry air)
6-ELR=SALR(moist air)

Answer 12

1-stable
2-Absolutely Stable
3-absolutely unstable
4-conditionally unstable
5-neutrally stable
6-neutrally stable