Session 6:
Atmospheric Stability

"Up, up, and away." Sustained vertical motion in the atmosphere can result in turbulent mixing and produce violent storms . In this session we will discuss the characteristics of a stable versus an unstable atmosphere and explore several methods that are used to determine atmospheric stability.

Session Objectives

How much of this do I already know?

Part 1: A Review of Lifting Mechanisms in the Atmosphere
• Orographic Lifting
• Convergence
• Diabatic Heating
• Frontal Systems


Part 2: A Review of Adiabatic Processes

• The Dry Adiabatic Process
• The Moist Adiabatic Process
• The Pseudoadiabatic Process


Part 3: Hydrostatic Equilibrium Revisited

Part 4: Stable, Neutral, and Unstable Atmospheres

• The Stable Atmosphere
• The Neutral Atmosphere
• The Unstable Atmosphere
• Conditional Instability
• Convective Instability: Lifting Entire Layers


Part 5: Factors That Influence Atmospheric Stability

• The Non Static Environment
• Entrainment


Focus on Air Quality

Session Questions

Critique This Session

Begin This Session Part 1: A Review of Lifting Mechanisms in the Atmosphere

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The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
Copyright © 1996