MLchartDataset catalogue

Gravitational potential energy

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-006039

The energy an air parcel possesses due to its vertical position within Earth's gravitational field. It is calculated as the product of the parcel's mass, the acceleration due to gravity, and its height above a reference level, such as sea level. This form of energy is converted into kinetic energy when air descends and is gained from kinetic energy when air ascends, governing vertical motions and atmospheric stability.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-006039
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
See alsoGravitation; Potential energy
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-006039",
  "term": "Gravitational potential energy",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "The energy an air parcel possesses due to its vertical position within Earth's gravitational field. It is calculated as the product of the parcel's mass, the acceleration due to gravity, and its height above a reference level, such as sea level. This form of energy is converted into kinetic energy when air descends and is gained from kinetic energy when air ascends, governing vertical motions and atmospheric stability.",
  "see_also": [
    "gravitation",
    "potential energy"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/gravitational-potential-energy/"
}

Record 4,189 of 10,756 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.