How Altitude Affects Temperature.
The Earth's surface absorbs most of the heat from the sun. Then, as the Earth's surface warms up, the heat spreads into the lower layers of the atmosphere, and transfers some of the heat to the upper layers of the atmosphere. As the air heats up, it expands and becomes less dense, then becomes lighter, causing it to rise up above the cooler air. As it does this, the air continues to expand. This is because there is less pressure higher in the atmosphere, allowing the air molecules to spread out more.So, the higher one travels into the troposphere, the lower the temperature becomes.
The rate at which the temperature drops is known as the adiabatic lapse rate. (The lapse rate of the troposphere is 3.6 degrees per 1,000 feet, or 6.5 degrees Celsius for every 1,000 meters.)
high altitude (1500m - 3500)
very high altitude (3500 - 5500)
extreme altitude (5500 - above)
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