| thermal efficiency | <radiobiology> Ratio of the electric power produced by a power plant to the original amount of heat produced. This measures the efficiency with which the thermal energy is converted to electricity. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| thermal expansion | <radiobiology> Characteristic property of most solids and liquids which causes their volume to increase when they are heated. Thermal expansion and contraction can cause structural problems in pulsed fusion devices. (09 Oct 1997) |
| thermal melting profile | In general a record of the phase state of a system over a temperature range. Phase changes can be detected by exothermy or endothermy. Valuable in studying lipid and DNA structures. (18 Nov 1997) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| alveolar point | The most anterior point on the maxillary alveolar process in the midline. Synonym: alveolar point, prostheon. Origin: G. Ntr. Of prosthios, foremost (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior focal point | The point where parallel rays from the retina are focused. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apophysial point | The centre of the root of the anterior nasal spine. Synonym: apophysary point, apophysial point, spinal point. (05 Mar 2000) |
| arrow point tracing | A tracing of mandibular movements made by means of a device attached to the opposing arches; its shape resembles that of an arrowhead or a Gothic arch, and when the instrument's marking point is at the apex of the arch, the jaws are considered to be in centric relation. Synonym: arrow point tracing, Gothic arch tracing, Gothic arch, stylus tracing. (05 Mar 2000) |
| auricular point | A craniometric point at the centre of the opening of the external acoustic meatus; or, in certain cases, the middle of the upper edge of this opening. Synonym: auricular point. Origin: L. Auricularis, pertaining to the ear (05 Mar 2000) |
| axial point | One of two point's in a compound optical system so related that a ray directed toward the first point will appear to have passed through the second point parallel to its original direction. Synonym: axial point. (05 Mar 2000) |