| inert | Unreactive. Refers to a substance which will not chemically react with anything under normal circumstances. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| inert gas narcosis | Progressive mental disturbances and unconsciousness due to breathing mixtures of oxygen and inert gases (argon, helium, xenon, krypton, and atmospheric nitrogen) at high pressure. (12 Dec 1998) |
| inert gases | Gases which are members of the zero group of the periodic system. These gases generally do not react chemically. (12 Dec 1998) |
| inertia | Inactivity, inability to move spontaneously. (18 Nov 1997) |
| inertia time | The interval elapsing between the reception of the stimulus from a nerve and the contraction of the muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| inertial confinement fusion | <radiobiology> Approach to fusion where the plasma is imploded so quickly that the inertia of the converging particles is so high that many fuse before they disperse. This is the method used in a hydrogen bomb, ICF schemes for power production usually use small pellets of fuel in an attempt to make miniature h-bomb type explosions. Methods for imploding the pellet include bombardment from all sides with high-powered laser and particle beams, and of course implosion in a fission bomb. Parts of ICF fusion research remain classified due to their military implications and applications, though much ICF research was recently declassified. (09 Oct 1997) |