The normal change in temperature with altitude is noted as what?

The correct answer highlights that, as altitude increases, there is a decrease in temperature primarily due to the phenomenon known as adiabatic cooling. When air rises, it expands because the atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude. This expansion allows the air to cool, which occurs without the exchange of heat with its surroundings—a process termed adiabatic cooling.

As the rising air expands, it loses energy, resulting in a lower temperature. This decrease is a fundamental principle in meteorology and is crucial for understanding weather patterns and climate, particularly in the upper layers of the atmosphere where aviation and environmental health assessments may be relevant.

Understanding this concept is important for environmental health specialists, as temperature variations with altitude can impact air quality, the distribution of pollutants, and health-related environmental conditions. The other options do not accurately represent the relationship between altitude and temperature changes, as they either misinterpret the effects of sunlight, thermal dynamics, or atmospheric conditions.