Mathematical Definition
In general, a lapse rate is the negative of the rate of temperature change with altitude change, thus:
where is the lapse rate given in units of temperature divided by units of altitude, T = temperature, and z = altitude.
Note: In some cases, or can be used to represent the adiabatic lapse rate in order to avoid confusion with other terms symbolized by, such as the specific heat ratio or the psychrometric constant.
Read more about this topic: Lapse Rate
Famous quotes containing the words mathematical and/or definition:
“What he loved so much in the plant morphological structure of the tree was that given a fixed mathematical basis, the final evolution was so incalculable.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“According to our social pyramid, all men who feel displaced racially, culturally, and/or because of economic hardships will turn on those whom they feel they can order and humiliate, usually women, children, and animals—just as they have been ordered and humiliated by those privileged few who are in power. However, this definition does not explain why there are privileged men who behave this way toward women.”
—Ana Castillo (b. 1953)