If two parcels of air start at the same temperature at 2000 meters above earth’s surface, which would end up with a higher temperature, an unsaturated parcel of air at earth’s surface or a saturated parcel of air 4000 meters above earth’s surface?
a. an unsaturated parcel of air at earth’s surface would be warmer, since adiabatic temperature changes are greater for unsaturated than for saturated air, regardless of any temperature difference due to changes in elevation.
b. a saturated parcel of air at 4000 meters above earth’s surface would be warmer, since air warms as it rises and cools as it descends, regardless of any temperature difference due to saturation.
c. a saturated parcel of air 4000 meters above earth’s surface would be warmer, since adiabatic temperature changes are greater for saturated than for unsaturated air, regardless of any temperature difference due to changes in elevation.
d. an unsaturated parcel of air at earth’s surface would be warmer, since air cools as it rises and warms as it descends, regardless of any temperature difference due to saturation.