The Environmental Lapse Rate is the vertical temperature change observed in our atmospheric environment. The Environmental Lapse Rate is obtained by radiosonde launched twice a day from many sites. This lapse rate is the dry adiabatic rate modified by the latent heat of condensation. For every gram of water that evaporates, there are 590 calories of cooling. For every gram of water that condenses, there are 590 calories of warming.
Thermals are columns of spontaneously rising dry air.
In the first situation the air at sea level is 75 degrees. As you move up, you experience a average decrease in temperature of 3 degrees per 1000 ft. This is the environmental lapse rate. The new temperature at 1000 ft is 71 degrees. This is the dry adiabatic lapse rate.