Atmospheric Temperature: Troposphere and Stratosphere
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Questions and Answers

Explain why the stratosphere exhibits a temperature inversion, in contrast to the troposphere's typical temperature decrease with altitude.

The stratosphere exhibits a temperature inversion because ozone molecules in this layer absorb UV radiation from the sun. This absorption process releases heat, warming the stratosphere with increasing altitude.

Describe how the tropopause acts as a 'lid' and its significance in influencing weather patterns in the troposphere.

The tropopause acts as a 'lid' because it is a stable layer where temperature stops decreasing with height, or even increases. This stability inhibits vertical air movement, confining most weather phenomena to the troposphere.

Analyze the factors that contribute to the temperature minimum observed at the mesopause.

The temperature minimum at the mesopause results from radiative cooling by carbon dioxide and other gases, combined with the lack of significant ozone heating. As altitude increases in the mesosphere, there is less ozone to absorb solar radiation, leading to net cooling.

Explain how the density of air affects heat capacity within the different atmospheric layers and how this influences overall temperature distribution.

<p>Air density decreases with altitude, leading to lower heat capacity in the upper atmospheric layers. This means that even with high kinetic energy (as in the thermosphere), there are fewer molecules to transfer heat, so the temperature is highly variable and doesn't equate to the amount of heat an object would feel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the implications of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases on the temperature profiles of the troposphere and stratosphere.

<p>Increased greenhouse gases warm the troposphere by trapping more outgoing infrared radiation. Simultaneously, they can cool the stratosphere by reducing the amount of heat reaching it and by enhancing radiative cooling (which then warms the troposphere). This leads to a more pronounced temperature difference between the two layers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the primary mechanism driving temperature variations observed within the stratosphere, and how does this contrast with the processes governing temperature changes in the troposphere?

<p>Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs UV radiation, increasing temperature with altitude. The troposphere's temperature decreases with altitude due to decreasing pressure and distance from Earth's surface.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how atmospheric stability influences the vertical temperature profile and how the temperature profile, in turn, affects pollution dispersion.

<p>Stable atmospheres (temperature increasing with height) inhibit vertical motion, trapping pollution. Unstable atmospheres (temperature decreasing rapidly with height) promote mixing and dispersion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of temperature inversions near the Earth's surface impact local weather patterns and air quality, especially in urban areas?

<p>Temperature inversions trap pollutants, leading to smog and reduced air quality. They can also suppress cloud formation and precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the adiabatic lapse rate affects the temperature of rising and sinking air parcels and explain the difference between the dry and moist adiabatic lapse rates.

<p>Rising air cools and sinking air warms due to expansion and compression. The dry adiabatic lapse rate applies to unsaturated air, while the moist adiabatic lapse rate is lower due to latent heat release during condensation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the impact of cloud cover on the vertical distribution of temperature, differentiating between the effects of high and low clouds.

<p>Low clouds reflect solar radiation, cooling the surface. High clouds trap outgoing infrared radiation, warming the surface. Both alter the temperature profile differently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a temperature profile?

Temperature change with height in the atmosphere

What is the environmental lapse rate?

Normal decrease of temperature with altitude in the troposphere, roughly 6.5°C per kilometer.

What is a temperature inversion?

Layer in the atmosphere where temperature increases with altitude.

What is a surface inversion?

Near the ground when the surface cools rapidly, especially on clear, calm nights.

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What is a frontal inversion?

Forms when warm air aloft moves over colder air near the surface.

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What is temperature's vertical distribution?

Describes how air temperature changes as altitude increases.

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What is the typical atmospheric lapse rate?

Normal decrease in temperature with height in the troposphere.

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What is indicated by temperature inversion?

Atmospheric layer where temperature rises with increasing altitude.

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What causes surface temperature inversion?

Ground cools quickly on clear, calm nights, chilling the air above, causing temperature to increase with height near the surface.

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What causes frontal inversion?

Warm air aloft that moves over colder air, creating a boundary where temperature increases with height.

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Study Notes

  • Temperature in the atmosphere varies significantly with altitude.

Troposphere

  • The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 8-18 km.
  • Temperature generally decreases with height in the troposphere.
  • This decrease is known as the environmental lapse rate, which averages about 6.5°C per kilometer.
  • The decrease in temperature is due to the troposphere being primarily heated from the ground, which absorbs solar radiation and re-emits it as heat.
  • Air rises, expands, and cools due to decreasing pressure, leading to lower temperatures at higher altitudes.
  • The top of the troposphere is called the tropopause, where the temperature stops decreasing with height.

Stratosphere

  • The stratosphere lies above the troposphere, extending from about 18 km to 50 km altitude.
  • Temperature increases with height in the stratosphere.
  • This temperature inversion is due to the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer.
  • Ozone molecules absorb UV radiation, which heats the air.
  • The upper part of the stratosphere is warmer than the lower part.
  • The stratopause is at the top of the stratosphere.

Mesosphere

  • The mesosphere is above the stratosphere, extending from about 50 km to 85 km.
  • Temperature decreases with height in the mesosphere.
  • The mesosphere has no ozone layer to absorb solar radiation.
  • Air is thin, and there is little absorption of solar radiation.
  • The mesopause is at the top of the mesosphere and is the coldest part of the atmosphere.

Thermosphere

  • The thermosphere is above the mesosphere, extending from about 85 km to 600 km or higher.
  • Temperature increases with height in the thermosphere.
  • This increase is due to the absorption of highly energetic solar radiation by gases such as oxygen and nitrogen.
  • Even though the temperature is very high, it would not feel hot to us because the air is extremely thin.
  • The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere.

Factors Affecting Vertical Temperature Distribution

  • Altitude: Higher altitudes generally have lower temperatures in the troposphere and mesosphere, but higher temperatures in the stratosphere and thermosphere.
  • Solar Radiation: Absorption of solar radiation by different gases at different levels affects temperature. Ozone in the stratosphere and oxygen/nitrogen in the thermosphere absorb radiation, leading to temperature increases.
  • Latitude: Temperature profiles vary with latitude. Polar regions have colder temperatures than equatorial regions, especially in the troposphere.
  • Season: Seasonal changes in solar radiation affect temperature profiles. Summer months have warmer temperatures at all levels compared to winter months.
  • Surface Characteristics: Land surfaces heat up and cool down faster than water surfaces, leading to differences in temperature profiles over land and water.
  • Atmospheric Circulation: Vertical and horizontal air movements mix air and affect temperature distribution.
  • Cloud Cover: Clouds reflect solar radiation back into space, reducing the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the surface and lower atmosphere.
  • Greenhouse Gases: Greenhouse gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere, affecting temperature profiles.

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Description

Explore temperature variations in the troposphere and stratosphere. The troposphere's temperature decreases with altitude due to ground heating and adiabatic cooling. In contrast, the stratosphere experiences increasing temperature with height because of UV radiation absorption by the ozone layer.

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