triple point


nounPhysics.
  1. the particular temperature and pressure at which the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of a given substance are all at equilibrium with one another.

Origin of triple point

1
First recorded in 1870–75

Words Nearby triple point

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British Dictionary definitions for triple point

triple point

noun
  1. chem the temperature and pressure at which the three phases of a substance are in equilibrium. The triple point of water, 273.16 K at a pressure of 611.2 Pa, is the basis of the definition of the kelvin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for triple point

triple point

  1. The temperature and pressure at which a substance can exist in equilibrium in the liquid, solid, and gaseous states. The triple point of pure water is at 0.01°C (273.16K, 32.01°F) and 4.58 mm (611.2Pa) of mercury and is used to calibrate thermometers. Compare critical point.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for triple point

triple point

In physics, the temperature at which all three phases of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) for a given substance can coexist.

Notes for triple point

The triple point for water is a little above the freezing point, and is used to define temperature scales.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.