Question

Why does the air temperature decrease with an increase in height?

Answer 1

The Earth is not directly heated by the rays of the Sun; it is heated by the reflection of the sunrays from its own surface. The surface of the Earth reflects the sunrays that fall upon it, causing an increase in the temperature of the surrounding air, but with increase in height, the distance from the surface increases and hence heating decreases. Thus, the air temperature decreases with increase in height. There is a decrease of 1 °C in temperature with an increase of 165 metres.