Define the following terms: diabatic process, adiabatic process, dry adiabatic lapse rate, lifting condensation level, saturated adiabatic lapse rate, environmental lapse rate

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: A diabatic process is one in which energy is added to or removed from a system. Processes in which the temperature changes but no heat is added to or removed from a substance are said to be adiabatic. The rate at which a rising parcel of unsaturated air cools, called the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR), is very nearly 1.0 °C/100 m. If a parcel of air rises high enough and cools sufficiently, expansion lowers its temperature to the dew or frost point, and condensation or deposition commences. The altitude at which this occurs is known as the lifting condensation level (LCL). The rate at which saturated air cools is the saturated adiabatic lapse rate (SALR), which is about 0.5 °C/100 m. Environmental lapse rate: the vertical change in temperature through still air.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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