For the elevation and temperature data given in the table, the existing lapse rate in the environment is °C/100 m (round off to two decimal places).
Show Hint
The environmental lapse rate can be calculated by dividing the change in temperature by the change in elevation, and then adjusting the units accordingly to get °C/100 m.
The formula for the environmental lapse rate is:
\[
\text{Lapse rate} = \frac{\text{Change in temperature}}{\text{Change in elevation}} = \frac{T_2 - T_1}{H_2 - H_1}
\]
Where:
- \( T_1 = 14.2^\circ C \) and \( T_2 = 16.9^\circ C \) are the temperatures at elevations \( H_1 = 5 \) m and \( H_2 = 325 \) m respectively.
Now, calculate the change in temperature and elevation:
\[
\text{Change in temperature} = T_2 - T_1 = 16.9 - 14.2 = 2.7^\circ C
\]
\[
\text{Change in elevation} = H_2 - H_1 = 325 - 5 = 320 \text{ m}
\]
Now substitute into the formula for lapse rate:
\[
\text{Lapse rate} = \frac{2.7}{320} = 0.0084375 \, \text{°C/m} = 0.84 \, \text{°C/100 m}
\]
Thus, the lapse rate is \( 0.84 \, \text{°C/100 m} \), and the correct answer is (A).
