If your environmental lapse rate is 7 C/km on a partly cloudy afternoon,then the atmosphere is said to be:
A)absolutely stable.
B)absolutely unstable.
C)conditionally stable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A lapse rate of 7 C/km indicates that the atmosphere is stable, but only conditionally stable. This means that small disturbances in the atmosphere could cause instability and lead to cloud formation or even thunderstorm development. This type of atmosphere is common on partly cloudy afternoons, where there is a mixture of warm and cool air masses. Therefore, the correct choice is C - conditionally stable.

If Your Environmental Lapse Rate Is 7 C/km on a Partly