If you lift a 15 °C unsaturated air bubble from the surface to 1 km height, what would be its final air
temperature?
15 C
It would actually be 5 C
To determine the final air temperature of the unsaturated air bubble when lifted from the surface to a height of 1 km, we need to understand the concept of adiabatic cooling. Adiabatic cooling refers to the decrease in temperature of an air parcel as it rises due to the expansion of the parcel and the resulting decrease in pressure.
To calculate the final air temperature, we can use a mathematical relationship known as the adiabatic lapse rate. The adiabatic lapse rate represents the rate at which temperature changes with altitude in unsaturated air. The standard adiabatic lapse rate for unsaturated air is approximately 9.8 °C per kilometer.
Therefore, to calculate the final air temperature, we can apply the adiabatic lapse rate to the initial temperature of 15 °C.
Final Temperature = Initial Temperature - (Adiabatic Lapse Rate x Height)
Substituting the values, we get:
Final Temperature = 15 °C - (9.8 °C/km x 1 km)
Final Temperature = 15 °C - 9.8 °C
Final Temperature = 5.2 °C
Therefore, the final air temperature of the unsaturated air bubble lifted from the surface to a height of 1 km would be approximately 5.2 °C.