critical mass
- Noun:
- The minimum mass of fissionable material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction: In physics, "critical mass" refers to the smallest amount of a substance (like uranium or plutonium) required to maintain a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction.
- The minimum amount or number required to start, sustain, or cause a significant change in an activity, trend, or venture: In a general, figurative sense, "critical mass" describes the point at which a sufficient quantity or level of participation is reached, enabling a process to become self-sustaining, viable, or powerful enough to produce a major effect.
Noun (Physics Context):
- Scientists carefully calculated the critical mass needed for the experimental reactor.
- The material will not produce an explosion unless it exceeds its critical mass.
Noun (Figurative/General Context):
- The startup needed more investment to reach the critical mass of users required for profitability.
- The protest movement gained critical mass after the viral video, leading to widespread demonstrations.
- There is now a critical mass of research supporting this new theory.
- "To reach critical mass": To achieve the necessary level or amount for something to become self-sustaining or significantly impactful.
- The online community finally reached critical mass, with new members joining daily without extra advertising.
- "To lack critical mass": To not have enough of something (e.g., people, resources, data) to be effective or viable.
- The project was canceled because it lacked the critical mass of support from key stakeholders.
- Critical (adj): 1. Expressing adverse or disapproving comments. 2. Extremely important. 3. Relating to a point of crisis.
- Mass (n): 1. A large body of matter with no definite shape. 2. A large number of people or objects.
- Threshold: The magnitude or intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, or condition to occur.
- Tipping point: The point at which a series of small changes becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change.
- Breakthrough point: The stage where a significant development or success is achieved.
(Note: "Critical mass" itself functions as a noun phrase and is not typically part of phrasal verbs.) - Achieve critical mass: To successfully attain the necessary level. - The company's goal is to achieve critical mass in the European market within two years.
(Note: "Critical mass" is often used as a standalone metaphorical concept rather than within a traditional idiom structure.) - The snowball effect: A process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger and more significant. This concept is closely related to the idea of reaching a "critical mass" for momentum. - Once the fundraiser reached critical mass, donations began pouring in—a real snowball effect.
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the minimum mass of fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction
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the minimum amount (of something) required to start or maintain a venture
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the battle for the computer market has now reached critical mass
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there is now a critical mass of successful women to take the lead
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they sold the business because it lacked critical mass
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