The lapse rate observed by a radiosonde is called the _____.

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In atmospheric thermodynamics, the term asked for refers to the real, observed rate at which temperature changes with height in the surrounding environment as measured by instruments like a radiosonde.
Option 1: environmental lapse rate. This is the correct descriptor for the actual lapse rate of the atmosphere at a given time and location, derived from radiosonde data, representing the environmental temperature profile as it exists.
Option 2: conditional lapse rate. This is not a standard term used to describe the radiosonde-measured gradient; the phrase is not typically employed in atmospheric science literature to label a lapse rate.
Option 3: dry adiabatic lapse rate. This is a fixed value (about 9.8°C per kilometer) that applies to unsaturated air rising adiabatically, not the observed environmental profile; it ignores moisture and external conditions.
Option 4: moist adiabatic lapse rate. This varies with temperature and moisture content and applies to saturated air rising or descending, not the general environmental gradient captured by a radiosonde unless the air parcel is saturated and the analysis specifically concerns adiabatic processes.
Thus, when interpreting radiosonde observations of the vertical temperature profile, the correct term describing the observed lapse rate is the environmental lapse rate.

11:670:101:01 INTRO TO METEOROLOGY Quiz 2

The lapse rate observed by a radiosonde is called the _____.

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