What Happens to
the Temperature?
• Air molecules in the parcel (or the balloon)
have to use their kinetic energy to expand the parcel/balloon.
•Therefore, the molecules lost
energy and slow down their motions
è The temperature of the air parcel (or balloon) decreases with elevation. The lost
energy is used to increase the potential energy of air molecular.
•Similarly when the air parcel
descends, the potential energy of air molecular is converted back
to kinetic energy.
è Air temperature
rises.