weather theoryFAA-published sample question (ATS, Aug 2021)
The stability of an air mass can usually be determined by
A
the height of the tropopause.
B
measuring the dry adiabatic lapse rate.
C
cloud types and the type of precipitation.✓ Correct Answer
Explanation
PHAK Chapter 12 explains that cloud types and precipitation reveal stability: cumuliform clouds with showers indicate unstable air, stratiform clouds with steady precipitation stable air. The dry adiabatic rate is a constant, and tropopause height does not indicate the stability of a given air mass.
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