The concept derives from Newton's Second Law when applied to a fluid parcel in the presence of a background stratification (in which the density changes in the vertical - i.e. the density can be said to have multiple vertical layers). The parcel, perturbed vertically from its starting position, experiences a vertical acceleration. If the acceleration is back towards the initial position, the stratification is said to be stable and the parcel oscillates vertically. In this case,  and the angular frequency of oscillation is given . If the acceleration is away from the initial position (), the stratification is unstable. In this case, overturning or convection generally ensues.
The Brunt–Väisälä frequency relates to internal gravity waves: it is the frequency when the waves propagate horizontally; and it provides a useful description of atmospheric and oceanic stability.