Divergence and Convergence,

Adiabatic Process, Air Stability and

Instability

Group-02
Geography and Environmental Studies
University of Rajshahi Presented by
Mamun, Tithy, Shanto, Habiba, Tonu, Sadia, Roni,
Sujon, Nayem, Tamanna
Divergence and
Convergence
 Divergence

It is a condition characterized by
the uniform expansion in
volume of a mass of air over a
region, usually accompanied by
fair dry weather. It is usually
used to refer the horizontal
outflow of the air.
Convergence
The terms Divergence and Convergence are usually used to refer
specifically to the horizontal movement of the air. The horizontal
outflow, we name it by Divergence. But in the opposite, the
horizontal inflow is called Convergence. Whereas the Divergence
of horizontal winds causes downward motion of the air
(subsidence), the Convergence of horizontal winds causes air to
rise.
Adiabatic Process
 Adiabatic processes=Heating by
compression or cooling by expansion

 Adiabatic-no heat lost or gained

 Adiabatic cooling is the basic of cloud formation
 A rising parcel of Air expands because the atmospheric pressure
decrease, and the parcel cools adiabatically. (The expanding parcel has
to do work)
ADIABATIC PROCESS
Classification of Adiabatic Lapse rate

 Dry Adiabatic Lapse rate

 Moist/Wet Adiabatic Lapse rate
Dry Adiabatic Lapse rate :

 Dry Adiabatic Lapse rate =1˚c/100m

or,5.5˚f/1000 Feet
or,10 ˚c/1km
Dry Adiabatic process Wet Adiabatic process
Moist /Wet Adiabatic Lapse rate:
 MALR=(4-9)°c/1000m
Air Stability and Instability
 Air Stability
• Air Stability is defined as that condition in the
atmosphere in which vertical motions are absent or
definitely restricted.
• According to Trewartha, Ô Air is said to be stable and
consequently antagonistic to precipitation, if it is non-
buoyant and resists vertical displacement. Voluntary
vertical motions are largely absent in stable air. Õ
• Stability occurs when the ELR is less than the DALR.
• Stability of air is determined by distribution of
temperature in the atmosphere at various heights.
• This measure of the change of temperature is called
the lapse rate.
• The lapse rate always vary with time and place.
Atmospheric Instability

• Atmospheric Instability is caused when

the rate of cooling of rising air (dry
adiabatic lapse rate) is lower than the
normal lapse rate.

• Instability occurs when the ELR is greater

than the DALR.
Types of Atmospheric Instability

1 General or common instability

2 Conditional instability

3 Convective instability
 General Instability
The state of a column of air that has a lapse rate that everywhere exceeds the dry adiabatic lapse
rate. The column is therefore unstable throughout it’s height.
 Conditional Instability
When the actual lapse rate of a column of air lies between the saturation adiabatic lapse rate and the
dry adiabatic lapse rate, the equilibrium is termed CONDITIONAL INSTABILITY, because the stability is
conditioned by the moisture distribution.
 Convective Instability
If water is heated from the
bottom and temperature
difference between the top and
the bottom exceeds a limit,
convection is driven. Water
heated from the bottom climbs
and cool water on the top
descends. This transfers the
thermal energy from the bottom
to top.
A graph related to Convective Instability
 Neutral Air

Neutral air is outside air

supplied at the space dry
bulb temperature but at a
dewpoint low enough so
the space will be at the
specified relative humidity
when allowing for the space
moisture load.
Any Query?
Thank You