What occurs during a temperature inversion?

During a temperature inversion, a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, resulting in an increase in temperature with height over a specific layer of the atmosphere. This phenomenon occurs when the normal environmental temperature gradient, where temperature decreases with altitude, is reversed. The warm air above prevents the cooler air below from rising, leading to a stable atmospheric condition.

This situation can have significant implications for air quality, as pollutants and other particulates become trapped in the cooler air near the ground, leading to increased pollution levels. Understanding temperature inversions is crucial for those working in agricultural pesticide applications, as they can influence the dispersion of sprayed chemicals.

Other options do not accurately describe the nature of a temperature inversion. The first choice describes the typical lapse rate in the atmosphere, where temperature usually decreases with height. The third option misrepresents the conditions at different altitudes, as humidity can vary based on factors other than temperature inversion. The fourth choice suggests a lack of temperature variation at ground level, which does not capture the essential aspect of an inversion system.