In meteorology, the stability of the atmosphere in the vertical direction to vertical displacements. If \(\mathit{\Gamma}\) is the dry @A00141@ lapse rate, dry air is @S05900@ if the lapse rate \(-\frac{\text{d}T}{\text{d}z} < \mathit{\Gamma }\), @U06569@ if \(-\frac{\text{d}T}{\text{d}z} > \mathit{\Gamma }\) and neutral \(-\frac{\text{d}T}{\text{d}z} = \mathit{\Gamma }\).