What happens when air is forced to rise over high ground?

When air is forced to rise over high ground, it initially ascends and cools at the dry adiabatic lapse rate until it reaches the dew point. At this point, the temperature of the rising air decreases, and if it continues to rise, it may cool to the point where moisture begins to condense into clouds. This process is crucial in understanding how mountains can affect local weather patterns, as lifting air cools and can lead to precipitation on the windward side of the terrain.

The dry adiabatic lapse rate refers to the rate at which unsaturated air cools as it rises, which is approximately 1°C per 100 meters. Once the air reaches its dew point, it begins to cool at the wet adiabatic lapse rate, which is lower than the dry adiabatic lapse rate due to the heat released during condensation.

Other choices do not accurately describe the phenomenon. For instance, while air may indeed cool at the wet adiabatic lapse rate after reaching dew point, the initial rise and cooling occur at the dry adiabatic rate. The notion of air warming and retaining moisture or descending immediately without change is inconsistent with the behavior of air forced to rise and the effects of altitude on temperature and condensation.