Environmental Lapse Rate
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Environmental Lapse Rate
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The rate of decrease of temperature T with elevation z in
the atmosphere, - Missing Image:img src="SP7-e_files/partderiv.gif"T / Missing Image:img src="SP7-e_files/partderiv.gif"z or occasionally Missing Image:img src="SP7-e_files/partderiv.gif"T / Missing Image:img src="SP7-e_files/partderiv.gif"p,
where p is pressure. See autoconvective
lapse rate, superadiabatic
lapse rate.
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The concept may be applied to other atmospheric variables (e.g., lapse
rate of density) if these are specified. The environmental lapse rate is
determined by the distribution of temperature in the vertical at a given time
and place and should be carefully distinguished from the process
lapse rate, which applies to an individual air parcel.
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References
This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use
