Question

The graph shows the relationship of ambient lapse rates to the dry adiabatic lapse rate under different conditions of stability. Match stability situations A, B , C and D (as given in the graph) with the classes of stability as follows:
1. Super adiabatic 2. Dry adiabatic
3. Sub adiabatic 4. Inversion



Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A B C D

Answer 1

$\text{Lapse rate}=\frac{\text{Temperature difference}}{\text{Elevation difference}}=\frac{\Delta T}{\Delta h}$

Curve	$\Delta T$	$\Delta h$	$\Delta T/\Delta h$
A	- ive	-	-ive
B	${9.8}^{o}C$	> 1.5 km	< ${6.53}^o$C/km
C	${9.8}^{o}C$	1 km	${9.8}^o$C/km
D	${9.8}^{o}C$	0.5 km	${17.6}^o$C/km

The dry adiabatic lapse rate is ${9.8}^o$C/km and the wet adiabatic lapse rate is $6^o$C/km. The actual adiabatic lapse rate is between $6^o$C/km to ${9.8}^o$C/km.
If the ambient lapse rate is more than the actual adiabatic lapse rate then it is super-adiabatic. If the ambient lapse rate is ${9.8}^o$C/km then dry adiabatic conditions prevail. If the ambient lapse rate is less than the actual adiabatic lapse rate then it is sub-adiabatic. For the negative rate, the condition is said to be an inversion.
Therefore
A represents Inversion (4)
B represents Sub-adiabatic (3)
C represents Dry adiabatic (2)
D represents Super adiabatic (1)