The effects of heating and cooling in the atmosphere

A parcel of air when heated will rise, through its decreased density.
As the air parcel rises it will expand as it enters areas of lower pressure.
From the physics of the gas laws, as air expands it will cool.
Heating and cooling in the lower atmosphere are linked with the processes of
evaporation, condensation and precipitation formation.
The change in temperature with height in a well mixed atmosphere is known as
the Environmental Lapse Rate. It is variable and can be positive when
temperatures increase with height in an inversion of temperature; more frequently
temperatures decrease and its value is negative. Its value averages to about
6/1000 m.
A parcel of air will cool at 9.8/1000 m as it rises away from the ground surface.
This figure is known as the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate, as no condensation is
taking place and no heat exchange with the airs surroundings is assumed.
The parcel of air will rise only if it is warmer and less dense than its surroundings.
If the parcel rises sufficiently it may reach its condensation point, and water
droplets form.
The latent heat released on condensation reduces the rate at which the parcel
cools. It now cools at the Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate. Its value varies because
different amounts of water will be condensed depending upon air temperature;
warm air will result in a lot of latent heat release, cool air will produce less latent
heat. The rate of cooling is therefore less in tropical than in polar areas.
If the air is less dense than its surroundings, and able to rise, the atmosphere is
said to be unstable. If the parcel is cooler and therefore denser than its
surroundings, the atmosphere is said to be stable.
If the air is only unstable once saturation is reached, the atmosphere is said to be
conditionally unstable.
Causes of condensation
Condensation occurs when air reaches its saturation point. It may do this by water
being added or by cooling of the air.

 In the atmosphere there are always sufficient nuclei on which the water droplets
can condense once saturation point is reached.
The effects of condensation
Fog is formed when air near the ground is cooled to dew point temperature. The
cooling may be through radiational loss or by contact with a cold ground surface.
Clouds take a variety of forms, depending upon the rates and areal extent of
uplift,
atmospheric temperature and humidity, and winds.