Description
Return dry Brunt-Vaisala frequency squared from a temperature gradient.
Atmospheric dynamics uses signed coordinates, rotating-flow approximations, fluctuation definitions and stability conventions. One advection, shear, vorticity or wave term omits parts of the full equations and need not establish the state or stability of an observed atmosphere.
Return dry Brunt-Vaisala frequency squared from a temperature gradient.
When to use this tool
Use Brunt Vaisala Temperature Gradient Term when evaluating the stated local atmospheric dynamic, turbulence, stability or wave term.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter temperatureK, verticalTemperatureGradient, gravity, heatCapacity. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read frequencySquared. Use the output convention below.
Return dry Brunt-Vaisala frequency squared from a temperature gradient. Require positive absolute temperature, gravity and specific heat; frequencySquared = (g/T)*(dT/dz+g/cp).1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| temperatureK | Temperature K | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| verticalTemperatureGradient | Vertical Temperature Gradient | Required. Finite number. |
| gravity | Gravity | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| heatCapacity | Positive dry-air specific heat, J/(kg K) for SI lapse-rate convention. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| frequencySquared | Signed squared buoyancy-frequency term in s^-2 for compatible SI inputs; negative is allowed. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"temperatureK": 300,
"verticalTemperatureGradient": -0.005,
"gravity": 10,
"heatCapacity": 1000
},
"output": {
"frequencySquared": 0.00016666666666666666
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The gradient is positive upward and output can be negative; no square root, moisture correction or complete stability diagnosis is provided.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use complete verified fields and an appropriate dynamical model, including coordinate directions, omitted terms and approximation validity, for physical or forecast interpretation.
References
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