Process Lapse Rate

This definition page has been automatically generated. You can help ExoDictionary by expanding, updating, or correcting it.

Process Lapse Rate

The rate of decrease of the temperature of an air parcel as it is lifted (has an increase in altitude).

The concept may be applied to other atmospheric variables, e.g., the process lapse rate of density. The process lapse rate is determined by the character of the fluid processes and should be carefully distinguished from the environmental lapse rate, which is determined by the distribution of temperature in space. In the atmosphere the process lapse rate is usually assumed to be either the dry-adiabatic lapse rate or the saturation-adiabatic lapse rate.

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use