True, Paul, but of course the real atmosphere is not in an insulated
container. The ozone layer near the 50 km level causes warming there.
The solar wind warms the thermosphere. Moisture decreases the lapse
rate. There are lots of other factors to consider in the real
atmosphere.
But even given that, the temperature profile (especially near the
ground) is not that far from what I describe. The first ~ 10 km (which
is well over 1/2 of the atmosphere) does indeed cool as you go up at a
rate similar to (but less than) adiabatic lapse rate
Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
[mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Paul
Nord
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 8:17 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Temperture profile in a graviational field