1. 1. WHY AN INVERSION REPRESENTS AN ABSOLUTELY STABLE ENVIRONMENT B Y : E L I B A R I C H
2. 2. INVERSION Definition: a deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric property with altitude (an increase in temperature with height) Causes: warmer less dense air mass moves over(rises) cold dense air mass(sinks) (temporary)
3. 3. ABSOLUTELY STABLE ENVIRONMENT When the environmental lapse rate is less than the moist adiabatic lapse rate -environmental lapse rate= atmospheric temp decreases with an increase in altitude(6C/kmreal) -moist adiabatic lapse rate= air parcel temperature decreases based on altitude and amount of water air contained(5.5C/km theoretical) thereforehigher parcelcooler parcel
4. 4. BACK TO THE QUESTION: An inversion represents an absolutely stable environment because the warmer air that rises into the inversion eventually cools down and becomes more dense shows stable environment because after the inversion the air continues the trend of an absolutely stable environment