Lawson criterion

[ law-suhn krahy-teer-ee-uhn ]

/ ˈlɔ sən kraɪˈtɪər i ən /

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noun Physics.

(in a hypothetical nuclear fusion reactor) the requirement that in order for the energy produced by fusion to exceed the energy expended in causing the fusion, the product of the density of the fuel and the time during which it is confined at that density (the Lawson product ) must be greater than a certain number that depends on the kind of fuel used.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of Lawson criterion

Named after John David Lawson (1923–2008), English physicist, who formulated it in 1957

Words nearby Lawson criterion

lawrencium, Lawrentian, Law Society, laws of motion, Lawson, Lawson criterion, Lawson cypress, law stationer, lawsuit, law term, Lawton

How to use Lawson criterion in a sentence

There was never any one criterion for how every trombone or tenor saxophone or singer should sound.
The Stacks: John Coltrane’s Mighty Musical Quest|Nat Hentoff|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, as Guy Lawson writes in Octopus, Israel engineered a haphazard plan to fake his own death.
First Rule of the Fake Dead Bankers Club: Stay Gone|Daniel Gross|January 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A journalist, Andrew Lawson, left a message for a detective investigating the homicide pointing out a possible link.
Speed Read: 474 Pages of Rob Ford|Nico Hines|December 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Lawson claimed Wednesday that her husband “told everyone” he was taking cocaine out of her nose that night.
Nigella Lawson Tells Court She Used Cocaine, Marijuana|Nico Hines|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Lawson said it was all part of a plot to ruin her reputation.
Nigella Lawson Tells Court She Used Cocaine, Marijuana|Nico Hines|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Jamie Boswell contended that cookery was the criterion of reason; for that no animal but man did cook.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
This story was a favourite with Abershawe: it afforded him a reliable criterion of his unholy prowess.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
The public seemed to be in that enthusiastic mood which is the true criterion of the success of a work.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
But the nimbus was not worn at all at this early period; such a criterion is therefore inadmissible.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The position of the loads which gives the greatest moment at C may be settled by the criterion given above.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various