Convective available potential energy

convective available potential energy

(Abbreviated CAPE.) The maximum energy available to an ascending parcel, according to parcel theory.

On a thermodynamic diagram this is called positive area, and can be seen as the region between the lifted parcel process curve and the environmental sounding, from the parcel's level of free convection to its level of neutral buoyancy. It may be defined as

where α_e is the environmental specific volume profile, α_p is the specific volume of a parcel moving upward moist-adiabatically from the level of free convection, p_f is the pressure at the level of free convection, and p_n is the pressure at the level of neutral buoyancy. The value depends on whether the moist-adiabatic process is considered reversible or irreversible (conventionally irreversible) and whether the latent heat of freezing is considered (conventionally not).
Compare convective inhibition.

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That portion of the total potential energy that may be converted to kinetic energy in an adiabatically enclosed system.

1. That property of an object that enables it to float on the surface of a liquid, or ascend through and remain freely suspended in a compressible fluid such as the atmosphere.