The atmosphere is most unstable when the temperature of the air ______ with height.
A) decreases slightly
B) drops rapidly
C) is uniform
D) increases rapidly
E) increases slightly

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the temperature drops rapidly with height, we call this "steep lapse rates." Steep lapse rates mean that the air at higher levels is significantly colder than the air below it. This creates an unstable atmosphere because warm air can easily rise through the colder, denser air above. As the warm air rises, it cools and can form clouds and potentially lead to thunderstorms.

The Atmosphere Is Most Unstable When the Temperature of the Air