What Causes the Temperature to Decrease with Height in the Troposphere?

About this printable What Causes the Temperature to Decrease with Height in the Troposphere science reading passage, NGSS-aligned (Grades 3-7)

This NGSS-aligned middle school science passage explains why temperature decreases with height in the troposphere. Students learn that the Earth’s surface is the main source of heat, and as altitude increases, the distance from this heat source grows. The passage introduces the concept of adiabatic cooling, where rising air expands and cools due to lower air pressure. It also explains the lapse rate and how these processes lead to colder temperatures at higher elevations. Real-world examples like mountaintop temperatures and airplane altitudes support student understanding. This passage supports NGSS Earth and Atmospheric Science standards and builds key science vocabulary.

Written by Neha Goel TripathiPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz from What Causes the Temperature to Decrease with Height in the Troposphere

The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where all weather happens. It extends from the ground up to about 6 to 12 miles (10 to 20 kilometers), depending on your location. One of the most important features of the troposphere is that the temperature decreases with height. But why does this happen?

The key reason is that the Earth’s surface is the main source of heat in the troposphere. The Sun warms the ground, and then the ground warms the air just above it. As you go higher up in the troposphere, you move farther from that heat source. This means the air becomes cooler the higher you go.

Another reason is air pressure. As you rise in the atmosphere, air pressure decreases. With lower pressure, rising air expands, and as it expands, it cools. This process is called adiabatic cooling. That’s why mountain tops are often much colder than valleys, even though they are the same distance from the Sun.

This decrease in temperature with altitude is known as the lapse rate. On average, the temperature drops about 6.5°C for every kilometer you go up in the troposphere.

Fun Fact: Even though airplanes fly high in the sky, they need heated cabins because outside temperatures at cruising altitudes can drop to –50°C (–58°F)!