Final answer:
A temperature inversion is a deviation from the normal change of air temperature with altitude. It occurs when a layer of warm air is held above a layer of cooler air. A radiation temperature inversion forms when the Earth's surface cools rapidly at night, causing a layer of cool air to become trapped beneath a layer of warmer air.
Step-by-step explanation:
In meteorology, a temperature inversion is a deviation from the normal change of air temperature with altitude. Normally, air temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. However, during a temperature inversion, warmer air is held above cooler air, resulting in an inverted temperature profile.
A radiation temperature inversion forms when the Earth's surface cools rapidly at night, causing the air in contact with the surface to cool as well. As a result, a layer of cool air becomes trapped beneath a layer of warmer air, which creates a temperature inversion.
For example, on a clear night, the Earth's surface loses heat through radiation, causing the air in contact with the surface to cool. Since cool air is denser than warm air, it tends to sink. However, if there is a layer of warmer air above the cool air, it acts as a lid and prevents the cool air from mixing with the warmer air above, resulting in a radiation temperature inversion.