Look at the graph and answer the following questions ( wasn\'t able to post grap

Question

Look at the graph and answer the following questions (wasn't able to post graph so I wrote the info down) SHOW YOUR WORK.

1. Calculate the dry adiabatic rate. (Express in units of °C/1000m; include the units.): 21C at 0m. 1C at 2000m

2. Calculate the environmental lapse rate. (Express in units of °C/1000m; include the units.): 21 C at 2000m. 5C at 2000m.

3. Calculate the saturated adiabatic rate. (Express in units of °C/1000m; include the units.): 21C at 0m. 9C at 2000m.

4. Is the atmosphere stable, unstable, or conditionally unstable?

I wasn't able to post the graph so I got the information from it and copied it in the question.

Explanation / Answer

1. Dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR) is the gradual decrease in temperature of dry air (no water vapour) with increase in elevation. It can be calculated with formula

DALR = -dT/dz

Where dT = difference in temperature (here, difference between 21 ºC and 1 ºC is 20 ºC)

dz = difference in altitude (here, difference between 2000 m and 0 m is 2000 m)

then

DALR = - 20/2000

DALR = - 10 ºC/1000 m

2. For calculating Environmental lapse rate (ELR), formula is

(ELR) = dT/dz

Where dT = difference in temperature (here, difference between 21 ºC and 5 ºC is 16 ºC)

dz = difference in altitude (here, difference between 2000 m and 2000 m is 0 m). In this case, ELR cannot be calculated due to height difference is zero.

3. Saturated adiabatic lapse rate (SALR) is the gradual decrease in temperature of saturated parcel of air with increase in elevation. It can be calculated with formula

SALR =  dT/dz

Where dT = difference in temperature (here, difference between 21 ºC and 9 ºC is 12 ºC)

dz = difference in altitude (here, difference between 2000 m and 0 m is 2000 m)

then

SALR = 12/2000

SALR = 6 ºC/1000 m

4. In this case, we cannot say that atmosphere is stable, unstable or conditionally unstable. It can only be judge on the basis of environmental lapse rate. In present study, environmental lapse rate cannot be find out due to zero change in elevation.

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