geopotenciálérték

A geopotenciálérték refers to the potential energy of a unit mass at a specific point within a gravitational field, typically Earth's. It's a scalar quantity that quantifies the work required to move that unit mass from a reference point (often taken as infinity or sea level) to that location against the force of gravity. In simpler terms, it indicates how much energy is stored at a particular altitude due to its position in the gravitational field.

The geopotential is a fundamental concept in geodesy, geophysics, and oceanography. It is closely related to the geoid, which represents the equipotential surface of Earth's gravity field that best approximates mean sea level. Lines of constant geopotential are called equipotential surfaces. Higher geopotential values are found at greater altitudes.

The unit of geopotential is energy per unit mass, typically expressed in Joules per kilogram (J/kg) or its equivalent, square meters per second squared (m²/s²). It is crucial for understanding the behavior of fluids like the atmosphere and oceans, as well as for precise vertical referencing and satellite orbit calculations. Measuring or calculating geopotential values allows scientists to map gravity anomalies and understand the Earth's internal mass distribution.