The figure above shows five environmental lapse rates (ELRs). Which ELR shows an isothermal layer (i.e., temperature remaining constant with height)?

Question

The figure above shows five environmental lapse rates (ELRs).  Which ELR shows an isothermal layer (i.e., temperature remaining constant with height)?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks us to identify which environmental lapse rate (ELR) corresponds to an isothermal layer, meaning temperature remains constant with height (zero lapse rate).
Option by option reasoning:
- ELR 2: If ELR 2 shows a decreasing temperature with height (a negative or positive lapse rate), this is not isothermal. A nonzero slope indicates temperature change with altitude, so this cannot be isothermal.
- ELR 4: An isothermal layer has zero lapse rate, i.e., horizontal temperature profile with height. If ELR 4 is drawn as a flat line (no change in temperature with altitude), this matches the definition of an isothermal layer exactly.
- ELR 1: If ELR 1 indicates temperature changing with height (positive or negative lapse rate), then it is not isothermal. Any slope away from zero means a change in temperature with altitude.
- ELR 5: Similarly, ELR 5 would be nonzero slope unless it coincidentally is a horizontal line; but typically in such figures only one ELR is flat. If ELR 5 shows a slope, it’s not isothermal.
- ELR 3: Again, unless it is a zero-slope line, this would imply temperature changing with height, not isothermal. A nonzero lapse rate disqualifies it.
In summary, the defining feature of an isothermal layer is a zero lapse rate (temperature unchanged with height). Among the options, the one that shows no change in temperature with altitude corresponds to the isothermal layer, which is ELR 4 in this figure.

WX 301 WX301 Fall 2025 Exam 2 - Requires Respondus LockDown Browser

The figure above shows five environmental lapse rates (ELRs). Which ELR shows an isothermal layer (i.e., temperature remaining constant with height)?

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