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7.3 Thermal Inversion

3 min readjanuary 8, 2023

Joshua Nielsen

Joshua Nielsen

K

Krish Gupta

Joshua Nielsen

Joshua Nielsen

K

Krish Gupta

Vocabulary

  • Inversion Layer

Description

is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when a layer of warm air becomes trapped above a layer of cooler air, creating a temperature reversal in the usual atmospheric temperature gradient. In a typical situation, the air temperature decreases with increasing altitude, a phenomenon known as the normal temperature lapse rate. However, during a , the air temperature increases with increasing altitude. This can occur at any altitude, but is most common in the lower atmosphere, near the earth's surface.

Thermal inversions are caused by a variety of factors, including the movement of cold and warm air masses, the presence of high pressure systems, and the presence of topographic features that can trap the warmer air. They can occur at any time of year, but are more common during the winter months when the earth's surface cools more quickly than the air above it.

Thermal inversions can have a number of impacts on the earth's climate and weather patterns. They can trap pollutants near the surface, leading to poor and reduced visibility. They can also prevent clouds from forming, leading to clear skies and increased solar radiation. In some cases, thermal inversions can lead to the formation of frost or hoarfrost on the ground, as the warmer air above prevents the ground from cooling.

Thermal inversions can have a number of impacts on human health and well-being. They can increase the risk of respiratory problems, as the trapped pollutants can irritate the respiratory system. They can also affect the way that people feel, as the warm air trapped near the surface can lead to a feeling of stuffiness and discomfort.

Formation

Most cities sit on an open plain. Winds blow through them. The heat from the sun causes hot air to rise. Pollution is, therefore, able to move out of the city.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FCapture%208.PNG?alt=media&token=c0a351d5-c16d-4cd2-be2b-2fd61c180d6c

Image courtesy of Creator

Some cities sit within a valley, surrounded by hills or mountains. This impedes the winds that normally blow through. The sun continues to heat the surfaces in the city and the warm air rises. At night, the warm air creates a thermal blanket that traps air pollution.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FCapture%2010.PNG?alt=media&token=0021b3a9-d6bb-4085-96d8-334bafaf480f

Pollution

One of the most significant impacts of is its ability to trap pollutants near the earth's surface.

Normally, the air temperature decreases with increasing altitude, which causes pollutants to rise and disperse into the atmosphere. However, during a , the warmer air above acts as a "lid" that traps the pollutants near the surface. This can lead to a buildup of pollutants in the air, resulting in poor and reduced visibility.

One of the main sources of pollutants that can be trapped by is car exhaust fumes. The emissions from cars contain a range of harmful chemicals, including , , and . These pollutants are released into the air when a car burns fuel, and can contribute to the formation of , a key component of .

can also trap other types of pollutants, such as smoke from wildfires, industrial emissions, and from construction sites. These pollutants can have a range of negative impacts on human health, including respiratory problems, allergies, and heart disease.

In addition to its impacts on , can also affect the weather. The trapped warm air can prevent clouds from forming, leading to clear skies and increased solar radiation. In some cases, it can lead to the formation of frost or hoarfrost on the ground, as the warmer air above prevents the ground from cooling.

Overall, the relationship between and pollution trapping is complex and multifaceted. can trap pollutants near the earth's surface, leading to poor and reduced visibility. It can also affect the weather and have a range of negative impacts on human health. Understanding and predicting these inversions can help people to better prepare for and mitigate their impacts.

Image courtesy of Creator

🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science - Air Pollution

Key Terms to Review (8)

Air Quality

: Air quality refers to the condition of the air in terms of its cleanliness and healthiness for living organisms. It is determined by the presence of pollutants and the overall composition of the atmosphere.

Carbon Monoxide

: Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is highly toxic and can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Ground-Level Ozone

: Ground-level ozone refers to a harmful pollutant formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with sunlight. It is a major component of smog and can cause respiratory issues and other health problems.

Nitrogen Oxides

: Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen atoms. They are primarily produced by burning fossil fuels at high temperatures, such as in vehicle engines or power plants. Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog formation and can have negative effects on human health.

Particulate Matter

: Particulate matter refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, such as dust, soot, and smoke. These particles can be harmful when inhaled and can contribute to respiratory issues and air pollution.

Smog

: Smog refers to a type of air pollution that is characterized by a mixture of smoke and fog. It occurs when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with sunlight, forming harmful ground-level ozone.

Thermal inversion

: Thermal inversion refers to a weather condition where the normal temperature pattern in the atmosphere is reversed, with warm air being trapped above cooler air near the surface. This can lead to the accumulation of pollutants and smog in lower layers of the atmosphere.

Volatile Organic Compounds

: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They are released from various sources such as paints, solvents, cleaning products, and even some plants. VOCs can contribute to air pollution and have both short-term and long-term health effects.

7.3 Thermal Inversion

3 min readjanuary 8, 2023

Joshua Nielsen

Joshua Nielsen

K

Krish Gupta

Joshua Nielsen

Joshua Nielsen

K

Krish Gupta

Vocabulary

  • Inversion Layer

Description

is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when a layer of warm air becomes trapped above a layer of cooler air, creating a temperature reversal in the usual atmospheric temperature gradient. In a typical situation, the air temperature decreases with increasing altitude, a phenomenon known as the normal temperature lapse rate. However, during a , the air temperature increases with increasing altitude. This can occur at any altitude, but is most common in the lower atmosphere, near the earth's surface.

Thermal inversions are caused by a variety of factors, including the movement of cold and warm air masses, the presence of high pressure systems, and the presence of topographic features that can trap the warmer air. They can occur at any time of year, but are more common during the winter months when the earth's surface cools more quickly than the air above it.

Thermal inversions can have a number of impacts on the earth's climate and weather patterns. They can trap pollutants near the surface, leading to poor and reduced visibility. They can also prevent clouds from forming, leading to clear skies and increased solar radiation. In some cases, thermal inversions can lead to the formation of frost or hoarfrost on the ground, as the warmer air above prevents the ground from cooling.

Thermal inversions can have a number of impacts on human health and well-being. They can increase the risk of respiratory problems, as the trapped pollutants can irritate the respiratory system. They can also affect the way that people feel, as the warm air trapped near the surface can lead to a feeling of stuffiness and discomfort.

Formation

Most cities sit on an open plain. Winds blow through them. The heat from the sun causes hot air to rise. Pollution is, therefore, able to move out of the city.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FCapture%208.PNG?alt=media&token=c0a351d5-c16d-4cd2-be2b-2fd61c180d6c

Image courtesy of Creator

Some cities sit within a valley, surrounded by hills or mountains. This impedes the winds that normally blow through. The sun continues to heat the surfaces in the city and the warm air rises. At night, the warm air creates a thermal blanket that traps air pollution.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FCapture%2010.PNG?alt=media&token=0021b3a9-d6bb-4085-96d8-334bafaf480f

Pollution

One of the most significant impacts of is its ability to trap pollutants near the earth's surface.

Normally, the air temperature decreases with increasing altitude, which causes pollutants to rise and disperse into the atmosphere. However, during a , the warmer air above acts as a "lid" that traps the pollutants near the surface. This can lead to a buildup of pollutants in the air, resulting in poor and reduced visibility.

One of the main sources of pollutants that can be trapped by is car exhaust fumes. The emissions from cars contain a range of harmful chemicals, including , , and . These pollutants are released into the air when a car burns fuel, and can contribute to the formation of , a key component of .

can also trap other types of pollutants, such as smoke from wildfires, industrial emissions, and from construction sites. These pollutants can have a range of negative impacts on human health, including respiratory problems, allergies, and heart disease.

In addition to its impacts on , can also affect the weather. The trapped warm air can prevent clouds from forming, leading to clear skies and increased solar radiation. In some cases, it can lead to the formation of frost or hoarfrost on the ground, as the warmer air above prevents the ground from cooling.

Overall, the relationship between and pollution trapping is complex and multifaceted. can trap pollutants near the earth's surface, leading to poor and reduced visibility. It can also affect the weather and have a range of negative impacts on human health. Understanding and predicting these inversions can help people to better prepare for and mitigate their impacts.

Image courtesy of Creator

🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science - Air Pollution

Key Terms to Review (8)

Air Quality

: Air quality refers to the condition of the air in terms of its cleanliness and healthiness for living organisms. It is determined by the presence of pollutants and the overall composition of the atmosphere.

Carbon Monoxide

: Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is highly toxic and can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Ground-Level Ozone

: Ground-level ozone refers to a harmful pollutant formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with sunlight. It is a major component of smog and can cause respiratory issues and other health problems.

Nitrogen Oxides

: Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen atoms. They are primarily produced by burning fossil fuels at high temperatures, such as in vehicle engines or power plants. Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog formation and can have negative effects on human health.

Particulate Matter

: Particulate matter refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, such as dust, soot, and smoke. These particles can be harmful when inhaled and can contribute to respiratory issues and air pollution.

Smog

: Smog refers to a type of air pollution that is characterized by a mixture of smoke and fog. It occurs when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with sunlight, forming harmful ground-level ozone.

Thermal inversion

: Thermal inversion refers to a weather condition where the normal temperature pattern in the atmosphere is reversed, with warm air being trapped above cooler air near the surface. This can lead to the accumulation of pollutants and smog in lower layers of the atmosphere.

Volatile Organic Compounds

: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They are released from various sources such as paints, solvents, cleaning products, and even some plants. VOCs can contribute to air pollution and have both short-term and long-term health effects.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.