critical temperature

[ krit-i-kuhl tem-per-uh-cher, tem-pruh‐ ]

noun

, Physics.

1. the temperature of a pure element or compound at a critical point:

   Above the critical temperature, no liquid can form, no matter how great the pressure of the gas is.

critical temperature

noun

1. the temperature of a substance in its critical state. A gas can only be liquefied by pressure alone at temperatures below its critical temperature

critical temperature

1. The temperature of a substance at its critical point.
2. The temperature at which a material becomes a superconductor.
3. The temperature at which a property of a material, such as its magnetism, changes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical temperature¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

This disorder can cause changes in the material's critical temperature.

From Science Daily

Unconventional superconductors have a high sensitivity to disorder, and introducing defects changes or suppresses the critical temperature.

From Science Daily

In miassite, the team found that both the critical temperature and the critical magnetic field behaved as predicted in unconventional superconductors.

From Science Daily

The critical temperature is the highest temperature at which a material acts as a superconductor.

From Science Daily

Conventional superconductors are not sensitive to non-magnetic disorder, so this test would show no or very little change in the critical temperature.

From Science Daily