Which of the following statements regarding air temperature is/are cor

Which of the following statements regarding air temperature is/are correct ?

  • 1. Air temperature is measured at a standard height of 1.2 m (4.0 feet) above the ground surface.
  • 2. The average rate of temperature decrease with height is termed as the environmental temperature lapse rate.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2024
Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. Air temperature is typically measured at a standard height of about 1.2 to 1.25 meters (around 4 feet) above a representative surface, often inside a Stevenson screen to shield the thermometer from direct sunlight and precipitation. This standard height is used globally for consistent data collection. Statement 2 is correct. The environmental temperature lapse rate refers to the actual decrease in temperature with increasing height in the atmosphere at a given time and location. The average rate of temperature decrease in the troposphere is about 6.5°C per kilometer, often referred to as the standard or average lapse rate.
The lapse rate can vary significantly depending on atmospheric conditions. An adiabatic lapse rate refers to the change in temperature of a parcel of air as it rises or falls without exchanging heat with its surroundings (e.g., Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate is about 9.8°C/km, Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate is typically less).
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