critical temperature

American  

[krit-i-kuhl tem-per-uh-cher, tem-pruh‐] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl ˈtɛm pər ə tʃər, ˈtɛm prə‐ /

noun

Physics.

1. the temperature of a pure element or compound at a critical point.

   Above the critical temperature, no liquid can form, no matter how great the pressure of the gas is.

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critical temperature British  

noun

1. the temperature of a substance in its critical state. A gas can only be liquefied by pressure alone at temperatures below its critical temperature

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critical temperature Scientific  

1. The temperature of a substance at its critical point.

2. The temperature at which a material becomes a superconductor.

3. The temperature at which a property of a material, such as its magnetism, changes.

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Etymology

Origin of critical temperature

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Below a specific critical temperature, these coordinated interactions dominate, and the material becomes ferromagnetic.

From Science Daily

Typically, reversing a magnet's polarity requires heating it above that critical temperature.

From Science Daily

Professor Galea explained this is what happens when hot gases rise to the ceiling, reach a critical temperature and then ignite the room near instantaneously.

From BBC

Zentropy theory can then estimate the critical temperature at which the material loses that property.

From Science Daily

"It is ductile at room temperature, its melting point is as high as about 2,000 degrees Celsius, and -- unlike refractory alloys known to date -- it oxidizes only slowly, even in the critical temperature range. This nurtures the vision of being able to make components suitable for operating temperatures substantially higher than 1,100 degrees Celsius. Thus, the result of our research has the potential to enable a real technological leap," says Kauffmann.

From Science Daily