What is the thermal method of lifting based on?

The thermal method of lifting is primarily based on the principle that cool air, when placed over a warmer surface, becomes heated and is driven upwards. This process occurs because the warm surface heats the air directly in contact with it, lowering the air's density, which causes it to rise. As this warm air ascends, it can carry moisture and contribute to cloud formation as it cools at higher altitudes. The other options, while related to atmospheric phenomena, focus on different mechanisms. For instance, cold air lifted by warm winds describes a different interaction, and pressure differences pertain more to wind patterns rather than thermal lifting specifically. Air rising uniformly across a region suggests a more stable and even uplift, which does not capture the thermal dynamic where local heating causes pockets of air to rise selectively. Thus, the essence of the thermal lifting mechanism highlights the significant role of temperature differences between the air and the surface beneath it.