The lapse rate is defined as the rate of decrease with height for an atmospheric variable. The variable involved is temperature unless specified otherwise. The terminology arises from the word lapse in the sense of a decrease or decline. While most often applied to Earth's atmosphere the concept can be extended to any gravitationally supported ball of gas.
Read more about Lapse Rate: Definition, Mathematical Definition, Types of Lapse Rates, Significance in Meteorology
Famous quotes containing the words lapse and/or rate:
“The longest day must have its close—the gloomiest night will wear on to a morning. An eternal, inexorable lapse of moments is ever hurrying the day of the evil to an eternal night, and the night of the just to an eternal day.”
—Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–1896)
“You are more than entitled not to know what the word ‘performative’ means. It is a new word and an ugly word, and perhaps it does not mean anything very much. But at any rate there is one thing in its favor, it is not a profound word.”
—J.L. (John Langshaw)