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Stability and Instability

Total questions: 13

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
What type of air stability resists vertical movement?
a)

Conditional instability

b)
Absolute stability
c)
Absolute instability
2.
This type of air stability occurs when the environmental lapse rate is greater than the dry adiabatic rate.
a)
Absolute stability 
b)
Absolute instability 
c)
Conditional instability
3.
The stability of air is determined by measuring the _____ of the atmosphere at various heights.
a)
Temperature
b)
Atmospheric layers
c)
Unstable air
d)
Stable air
4.
True or False: The most stable conditions occur during a temperature inversion when the temperature decreases with height.
a)
True 
b)
False
5.

What type of lifting occurs around a mountain?

a)
Convergence
b)
Orographic
c)
Convective
d)
Frontal
6.
What is the Dry adiabatic rate?
a)

Approx. 10 degrees per 1,000 meters

b)
6 degrees per 1,000 meters
c)
Warms parcel of air that is less dense than its surrounding air
d)
Cold parcel of air that is more dense than its surrounding air
7.
What is a temperature inversion?
a)
Environmental lapse rate is less than the wet adiabatic rate
b)
Environmental lapse rate is greater than dry adiabatic rate
c)
Environmental lapse rate is equal to adiabatic rates
d)
The temperature in a layer of air actually increases with altitude
8.
What is absolute stability?
a)
Environmental lapse rate is less than the wet adiabatic rate
b)
Environmental lapse rate is greater than dry adiabatic rate
c)
Small, fluffy clouds associated with fair weather
d)
No cloud are in the sky
9.
Which type of weather does stable air create?
a)
Sunny Skies
b)
Rain and Thunderstorms
c)
Tornado
d)
Cloudy but no rain
10.

Why is the dry lapse rate greater than the saturated lapse rate?

a)

Dry air absorbs heat energy when condensing.

b)

Saturated air is usually at a higher temperature than dry air.

c)

Saturated air dispels latent heat energy when condensing.

d)

Dry air is usually at a higher temperature.

11.

When will a rising parcel of air stop rising?

a)

Once the parcel reaches its saturation point.

b)

Once the surrournding temperature matches that of the parcel's.

c)

Once the parcel's temperature exceeds the surrounding temperature.

d)

Once the condensation occurs and develops into precipitation.

12.

What type of atmospheric stability is shown in this image?

a)

Stable

b)

Unstable

13.

What type of atmospheric stability is shown in this image?

a)

Stable

b)

Unstable