The tropopause height changes with temperature increase. What happens to tropopause height when temperature increases?

• A. Increases
• B. Decreases
• C. Stays the same
• D. Varies with temperature gradient

Answer: (B)

The height of the tropopause is set by where the atmospheric temperature profile stops cooling with height and the stratosphere begins—the boundary is defined by a lapse-rate criterion. When temperature increases, the lower part of the atmosphere becomes warmer, which tends to lessen how far the air must cool with height before reaching that boundary. In this simplified view, the level at which the lapse rate crosses the threshold moves downward, so the tropopause occurs at a lower altitude. That’s why the answer reflects a decrease in tropopause height with warming. Keep in mind that real-world responses can vary by region and the pattern of warming, but this question expects the downward shift.