Does the expansion of air cause its temperature to increase or decrease? Why?


Expansion decreases the temperature of air. As air rises in the atmosphere the surrounding air pressure decreases allowing for the air to expand. Because there is no other energy source, the air molecules use their own energy to spread out. This energy loss causes a reduction in molecular speed and, therefore, air temperature as well.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Which of the following clouds is most likely to produce drizzle?

A. cirrostratus B. cumulus C. cumulus congestus D. stratus

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

This is the process by which middle-class people move into deteriorated inner-city neighborhoods and renovate the housing

A) Gentrification B) Gerrymandering C) Redlining D) Annexation E) Kleptocracy

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

According to the principle of uniformitarianism, processes have occurred at the same rates throughout geologic time

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Longwave radiation (+ LW) arriving at the Earth's surface

A) comes primarily from infrared energy emitted by the atmosphere. B) comes directly from the Sun. C) comes from diffuse solar radiation. D) comes from UV radiation reflected from the bottoms of clouds.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences