Geopotential Surface

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Geopotential Surface

</dt>
A surface of constant geopotential, i.e., a surface along which a particle of matter could move without undergoing any changes in its potential energy. Also called equigeopotential surface, level surface. </dd>
Geopotential surfaces almost coincide with surfaces of constant geometric height. Because of the poleward increase of the acceleration of gravity along a constant geometric-height surface, a given geopotential surface has a small geometric-height over the poles than over the equator. See potential, geopotential height, dynamic height. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use