Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding lapse rate is correct?

  1. An unsaturated air mass cools at dry adiabatic lapse rate when it rises in the atmosphere.

  2. The dry adiabatic lapse rate amounts to 1oC per 100 meters.

  3. The wet adiabatic lapse rate may vary between 4oC and 0.9oC per 100 meters.

  4. Dry adiabatic lapse rate is higher because of the release of latent heat of condensation.
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Unsaturated air cools at the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR) as it rises and expands. The Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate is lower than the DALR because the condensation of water vapor releases latent heat, which partially offsets the cooling process.

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