Radiative equilibrium temperature profile is unstable to convection.

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement is addressing the stability of a radiative equilibrium temperature profile with respect to convective disturbances.
An atmosphere in pure radiative equilibrium has no convective mixing, so its lapse rate is set solely by radiative cooling and heating balances. In many atmospheric contexts, the radiative equilibrium lapse rate is steeper than the adiabatic lapse rate, meaning parcels that rise are warmer than their surroundings or cooler than expected for neutral stability, which promotes buoyant motion.
Consequently, a radiative equilibrium profile often fails the convective stability criterion (the lapse rate being too large in magnitude), leading to convection that acts to reduce the gradient and bring the profile toward a more stable, convectively adjusted state.
From a theoretical standpoint, the classic idea is that radiative equilibrium is not dynamically stable: any small vertical displacement can grow into convection if the radiative profile would induce buoyancy differences that favor mixing. This is why models frequently describe a radiative-convective equilibrium, where convection adjusts the profile toward a near-adiabatic lapse rate in the troposphere while allowing radiative processes to dominate higher up.
That said, it is important to recognize context: in some layers or under certain forcing, the radiative profile might be neutrally stable or only marginally unstable, and precise stability depends on the specific temperature and humidity structure, as well as compressibility and other factors. Nevertheless, the general statement that a radiative equilibrium temperature profile is unstable to convection captures the standard expectation in many atmospheric regimes.
In summary, considering the typical behavior of radiative equilibrium in atmospheres, the buoyancy-driven response to vertical displacements tends to lead to convection, indicating instability of the radiative profile to convective adjustment.

CLMTGR5001_002_2025_3 - Dynamics of Climate Variability and Chan PRACTICE QUIZ: Week 3 Lecture 3

Radiative equilibrium temperature profile is unstable to convection.

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CLMTGR5001_002_2025_3 - Dynamics of Climate Variability and Chan PRACTICE QUIZ: Week 3 Lecture 3

Radiative equilibrium temperature profile is unstable to convection.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The atmosphere is typically most unstable _____.

If an atmosphere is stable to convection, it means a rising air parcel will be (choose all correct answers):

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A conditionally unstable atmosphere is with respect to unsaturated air and with respect to saturated air.