How does temperature in the atmosphere change with vertical elevation?
The temperature in the lower part of the atmosphere (the troposphere) decreases as elevation increases. The average temperature decreases from 15C at the bottom of the atmosphere to -60C at the top of the troposphere. The lower part of the atmosphere in which temperature decreases with height is called the troposphere. The height of the troposphere ranges from 18 km in the tropics to 12 km near the poles. The rate of temperature decrease with height is called the lapse rate. The lapse rate of the standard (average mid latitude) troposphere is 6.5C/km. Lapse rate can vary widely. A layer within which temperature increases with height is called an inversion. The layer of air above the troposphere where the temperature increases with height is called the stratosphere. The temperature increase in the stratosphere is caused by the absorption of ultra violet solar radiation mainly by ozone.
