What describes the tendency of gases to stratify according to their temperature?

The tendency of gases to stratify according to their temperature is best described as thermal layering of gases. This phenomenon occurs because warmer gases are less dense than cooler gases, causing them to rise and form layers. In a fire scenario, for example, the hot gases generated will rise above the cooler air, leading to distinct temperature zones within the affected space. This stratification impacts fire behavior, smoke movement, and ventilation strategies during firefighting efforts.

While gas diffusion refers to the process of gases spreading from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration, it does not specifically address the layering based on temperature. Airflow dissipation involves the spread and weakening of airflow in an environment, which doesn’t directly relate to temperature differences. Gas mixing describes how gases can intermingle, but it also does not capture the specific manner in which temperature influences the arrangement of gases. Thus, thermal layering of gases is the most accurate term to describe this specific behavior.