|
Correct Answer: a layer of atmosphere in which temperature increases, rather than decreases with height.
*
*a temperature inversion refers to a reversal in the normal pattern of temperature in the atmosphere, where the temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing. typically, in the lower layers of the earth's atmosphere (known as the troposphere), the temperature decreases with height. this is mainly because the atmosphere is heated from below as solar radiation warms the earth's surface, which in turn heats the air closest to it.
*
*during a temperature inversion, however, this normal temperature gradient is flipped. this can happen under several conditions, such as on clear nights when the ground cools rapidly by radiating heat back into space, or when a warmer, less dense air mass moves over a cooler, denser air mass. high-pressure systems can also contribute to temperature inversions, as they can lead to clear skies and minimal wind, allowing the heat near the surface to be lost quickly and the warm air above to remain in place.
*
*the impact of a temperature inversion is significant in terms of air quality and weather conditions. since temperature inversions prevent air near the ground from rising, they effectively trap pollutants such as smoke, dust, and other particulate matter close to the ground. this is why, during a temperature inversion, you might observe phenomena like smoke from a chimney flattening and spreading horizontally upon reaching a certain height instead of dispersing vertically. this trapping effect can lead to severe pollution episodes, particularly in urban areas surrounded by mountains, which further inhibit air movement.
*
*furthermore, temperature inversions can affect weather conditions by stabilizing the atmosphere, which can suppress cloud formation and precipitation. this stabilization occurs because the warmer air above cooler air acts as a cap, preventing the upward movement of air that is necessary for cloud development and, subsequently, weather changes.
*
*in summary, a temperature inversion is a meteorological phenomenon where the usual decrease of temperature with height reverses, leading to increased temperatures with altitude. this condition can lead to enhanced air pollution near the ground, as well as affect local weather patterns by stabilizing the atmosphere and reducing cloudiness and precipitation. understanding temperature inversions is crucial for meteorologists, environmentalists, and urban planners to manage air quality and predict weather changes more accurately.
|
