critical constant

[ krit-i-kuhl kon-stuhnt ]

noun

, Physics.

1. any of three constants (density, pressure, temperature) associated with the critical point of a pure element or compound:

   The equation predicts a value of 3.53 for the critical constant and gives better agreement with observed behavior for simpler gases.

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical constant¹

First recorded in 1905–10