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Lorenz formulates atmospheric available potential energy relative to an adiabatic minimum reference, derives approximate temperature-variance measures and organizes zonal/eddy energy generation, conversion and dissipation. A large energy store is not necessarily usable. An atmosphere can contain abundant gravitational and internal energy yet have no energy available to drive motion if its mass is already arranged in a stable horizontal reference state. Building explicitly on Margules, Lorenz measures the excess over a minimum accessible by adiabatic rearrangement. He connects that quantity to approximate temperature contrasts and separates large-scale circulation into zonal and eddy energy reservoirs. The resulting accounting explains why heating, cooling, heat transport and momentum transport play different roles. It also separates energy that is available in principle from energy that a particular constrained motion will actually realize. The numerical ratios and circulation budgets in this paper are approximate estimates, not universal constants or a complete weather forecast.
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Scientific scope
The energy definition compares the stated atmospheric state with an admissible reference rearrangement under its thermodynamic assumptions. Available energy differs from total potential energy. Approximate conversions and observational estimates are not a universal circulation forecast or proof of efficiency for every fluid. Later generalized available-energy definitions remain separate.
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People and systems
Edward N. Lorenz
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English catalogue narrative
Lorenz: measure usable atmospheric energy and trace circulation energy transfers
Lorenz formulates atmospheric available potential energy relative to an adiabatic minimum reference, derives approximate temperature-variance measures and organizes zonal/eddy energy generation, conversion and dissipation.
A large energy store is not necessarily usable. An atmosphere can contain abundant gravitational and internal energy yet have no energy available to drive motion if its mass is already arranged in a stable horizontal reference state. Building explicitly on Margules, Lorenz measures the excess over a minimum accessible by adiabatic rearrangement. He connects that quantity to approximate temperature contrasts and separates large-scale circulation into zonal and eddy energy reservoirs. The resulting accounting explains why heating, cooling, heat transport and momentum transport play different roles. It also separates energy that is available in principle from energy that a particular constrained motion will actually realize. The numerical ratios and circulation budgets in this paper are approximate estimates, not universal constants or a complete weather forecast.
Scientific scope
The energy definition compares the stated atmospheric state with an admissible reference rearrangement under its thermodynamic assumptions. Available energy differs from total potential energy. Approximate conversions and observational estimates are not a universal circulation forecast or proof of efficiency for every fluid. Later generalized available-energy definitions remain separate.
People and systems
Edward N. Lorenz