How does altitude generally affect temperature in aviation?

In aviation, the relationship between altitude and temperature is predominantly characterized by a decrease in temperature as altitude increases. This phenomenon occurs due to the way the atmosphere is structured. As you ascend into the atmosphere, the air pressure decreases, leading to a reduction in the density of the air. Because of this reduced density, the ability of air to hold heat also diminishes, resulting in cooler temperatures aloft.

The troposphere, which is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where most weather phenomena occur, typically sees a temperature drop of about 2 degrees Celsius for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. This lapse rate demonstrates how temperatures decline as you climb higher.

In contrast, the other provided options do not accurately reflect the general behavior of temperature changes with altitude. The notion that temperature increases with altitude only applies to certain atmospheric layers, such as the stratosphere, but is not a general rule applicable to all altitudes typically encountered in aviation operations. The idea that temperature remains constant regardless of altitude neglects the significant variations observed in the troposphere. Lastly, asserting that temperature is only influenced by latitude ignores the critical impact of altitude, which is a fundamental aspect of atmospheric science relevant to aviation safety and operation.