Answer: a) Difference between the two mean temperatures = 16°C
b) The temperature difference between the two locations, according to the lapse rate equation is 23.45°C
c) The true temperature difference is lower than that predicted by the temperature lapse rate formula.
Explanation: a) Difference between the two mean temperatures = 25 - 9 = 16°C
b) The environmental lapse rate (ELR), is the rate of decrease of temperature with altitude in the stationary atmosphere at a given time and location.
The atmospheric temperature lapse rate as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for an International Standard Atmosphere is = 6.5°C/km
For this question, distance between the two points is 3613 m = 3.613 km
Temperature difference = 6.5°C/km × 3.613km = 23.45°C.
c) The true difference, 16°C, is less than the predicted difference, 23.45°C.
QED!
