| thermal neutron | <radiobiology> A neutron in thermal equilibrium with its surrounding environment. Thermal neutrons are those that have been slowed down by a moderator to speeds characteristic of the local temperature. Compare: fast neutron. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| thermal resource | A facility that produces electricity by using a heat engine to power an electric generator. The heat may be supplied by the combustion of coal, oil, natural gas, biomass, or other fuels, including nuclear fission, solar, or geothermal resources. (05 Dec 1998) |
| thermal sense | The ability to distinguish differences of temperature. Synonym: temperature sense, thermal sense, thermic sense, thermesthesia. Origin: thermo-+ G. Aisthesis, sensation (05 Mar 2000) |
| thermal sensors | Sensors that detect tiny changes in heat or temperature. (14 Nov 1997) |
| thermal spectrum | The part of the invisible spectrum of wave length just longer than that of visible red light. Synonym: thermal spectrum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| thermal velocity | <radiobiology> Average speed (magnitude of velocity) of a particle at a given temperature (in a Maxwellian velocity distribution). (09 Oct 1997) |