What typically happens to temperature as altitude increases in the atmosphere?

As altitude increases in the atmosphere, the temperature typically decreases. This phenomenon is primarily observed in the troposphere, where weather events occur and where we live. The reason for this decrease in temperature is mainly due to the way the atmosphere interacts with sunlight and how air pressure changes with altitude.

At lower elevations, the atmosphere is denser, and it retains heat more effectively. As you ascend, the air becomes thinner and less capable of holding heat.

Additionally, the temperature drops because the Earth's surface absorbs energy from the sun and radiates it as heat. This warm air near the surface rises, while cooler air at higher altitudes cannot retain as much heat, leading to a decrease in temperature with increasing height. This trend continues until reaching the stratosphere, where a temperature inversion occurs due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone, resulting in a temperature increase at certain altitudes above the troposphere.

Thus, the general pattern for the troposphere demonstrates a consistent decrease in temperature with altitude, making the given answer the correct choice.