fugacity

British  

/ fjuːˈɡæsɪtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: escaping tendency.   f.  thermodynamics a property of a gas, related to its partial pressure, that expresses its tendency to escape or expand, given by d(log e f ) = dμ/ RT , where μ is the chemical potential, R the gas constant, and T the thermodynamic temperature

2. the state or quality of being fugacious

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Explanation

Fugacity is the quality of impermanence. With plants, fugacity refers to the parts that drop off. In chemistry, it’s the tendency of a gas to expand till it dissipates. Fugacity can also refer to things that don’t last, like youth. Anything fugacious is prone to run away or escape. The noun form, fugacity, has two related meanings. The first is the quality possessed by gases that expand and eventually dissipate. Some gases have more fugacity than others. Similarly, fugacity refers to changeableness in general. Anything that is prone to change, erode, or die possesses fugacity. If something is eternal and unchanging, it lacks fugacity.

Example Sentences

Thermodynamic modelling demonstrates how the observed subtle compositional changes that result in fluidization or stiffening of the melt can be induced by crystal growth from the melt or variation in oxygen fugacity.

From Nature • Dec. 12, 2017

There is no need for this cant cry of fugacity, which casts such a blight on modern art.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

The best of pigments may be ruined by their injudicious use, and obtain a character for fugacity which they in no way deserve.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

As there are different degrees both of permanence and fugacity, so are there different degrees of semi-stability.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

In like manner, lakes and carmines thrown down upon a base, may owe some of their fugacity to the oxidation of that base, as well as to the natural infirmity of their colouring matter.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas