Weather theoryQuestion 327 of 934

What happens to small vertical air movements in an unstable atmosphere?

  1. They dampen out and disappear within a short time
  2. They stay limited to the lowest 1,000 feet of air
  3. They grow larger and cause turbulent airflow
  4. They stop at the tropopause and never grow larger
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Correct answer: They grow larger and cause turbulent airflow

A stable atmosphere resists vertical motion. An unstable one lets small movements grow.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 12: Weather Theory — Atmospheric Stability, page 296

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026