criticality
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A critical state; especially the point at which a nuclear reaction is self-sustaining: This meaning refers to a precise, often scientific, threshold where a system undergoes a fundamental change, such as a nuclear chain reaction becoming self-sustaining without external input.
- A state of critical urgency: This meaning describes a situation of extreme importance, seriousness, or urgency, where decisive action is required.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The engineers carefully monitored the reactor to ensure it did not reach criticality. (Here, criticality refers to the state where a nuclear fission reaction becomes self-sustaining.)
- The criticality of the patient's condition required immediate surgery. (Here, criticality refers to the state of extreme urgency and seriousness.)
- The project's success reached a point of criticality; the next decision would determine everything. (Here, criticality refers to a crucial, decisive state.)
Advanced Usage
- "To achieve criticality": This phrase is primarily used in nuclear physics to describe the moment a nuclear reactor's chain reaction becomes self-sustaining.
- The experimental reactor achieved criticality at 3:00 PM.
- "A matter of criticality": This phrase emphasizes that something is of paramount importance or urgency.
- Securing the data is a matter of criticality for national security.
Variants and Related Words
- Critical (adj): 1. Expressing adverse or disapproving comments. 2. Extremely important. 3. Relating to a crisis or decisive point. 4. (Of a nuclear reactor) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction.
- Critically (adv): 1. In a way that expresses disapproval. 2. To a crucial or decisive degree. 3. In a way that is extremely serious or dangerous.
- Supercriticality (n): A state in nuclear physics where the reaction rate increases over time.
Synonyms
- Cruciality: The quality of being of vital importance.
- Urgency: Importance requiring swift action.
- Pivotal point: A critical or decisive moment.
- Threshold: The point at which a condition or phenomenon begins or changes.
Antonyms
- Stability: The state of being stable, not likely to change or fail.
- Insignificance: The quality of being unimportant or trivial.
- Noncriticality: (Technical) The state of not being critical, especially in nuclear contexts.
Noun
- a critical state; especially the point at which a nuclear reaction is self-sustaining
- a state of critical urgency