temperature gradient
Học thuậtThân thiện
The temperature gradient is steep as the hot air rises from the desert floor to the cooler sky.
Definition
Noun: A temperature gradient is the rate of change of temperature with respect to distance in a particular direction. It describes how quickly the temperature increases or decreases over a given space, such as with height in the atmosphere, depth in the ocean, or across a material.
Examples of Usage
- The temperature gradient in the atmosphere is crucial for predicting weather patterns.
- Engineers must consider the temperature gradient across the metal component to prevent thermal stress.
- A steep temperature gradient exists near the sun's surface.
Advanced Usage
- "To have/possess a steep/sharp temperature gradient": Describes a situation where the temperature changes very rapidly over a short distance.
- The region possesses a very sharp temperature gradient, causing strong winds.
- "To measure/calculate the temperature gradient": Refers to the act of determining this rate of change.
- Scientists calculated the temperature gradient in the soil to understand heat flow.
Variants and Related Words
- Gradient (n): More general term for a rate of change of any variable (e.g., pressure, concentration) with distance.
- Thermal gradient (n): A synonym often used in engineering and physics contexts.
Synonyms
- Thermal gradient
- Rate of temperature change
Related Phrases
- Lapse rate: A specific type of temperature gradient describing the rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with an increase in altitude.
- Heat flux: The flow of energy per unit area, which is directly related to the temperature gradient in a material.
The temperature gradient is steep as the hot air rises from the desert floor to the cooler sky.
Noun
- change in temperature as a function of distance (especially altitude)