supersaturation etymology

Etymology:

  • Super- (Latin): above, beyond
  • Saturation (Latin): fullness, abundance

Meaning:

Supersaturation refers to the condition in which a solution contains more solute than it can normally dissolve at a given temperature and pressure. In other words, the solution becomes highly concentrated and unstable, with excess solute particles suspended throughout the liquid.

Origin:

The term "supersaturation" was coined by the Irish scientist John Tyndall in the 19th century. Tyndall conducted experiments on the formation of clouds, and he observed that water vapor could remain suspended in air even when the relative humidity exceeded 100%. This phenomenon is known as supersaturation, and it occurs when the vapor pressure of the water in the air is greater than the equilibrium vapor pressure at the current temperature.

Supersaturation can also occur in liquid solutions. For example, if a large amount of sugar is dissolved in water, the solution may become supersaturated. The excess sugar molecules will remain suspended in the water, creating an unstable mixture.

Supersaturation is a common phenomenon in nature and is responsible for the formation of clouds, fog, and some types of crystals.

supersaturation relate terms

  • saturation

    Etymology Origin Latin saturare to fill satiate Related terms satis enough

  • saturate

    Etymology Latin satur adj compare to saturare v to fill to satisfy Proto Indo

  • supersaturate

    Etymology Super prefix meaning above or beyond Saturate from Latin saturare m

  • saturate

    Etymology Latin satur adj compare to saturare v to fill to satisfy Proto Indo

  • supra

    Etymology and Origin The word supra comes from the Latin preposition supra meaning

  • superhuman

    Etymology Super Latin above beyond Human Latin human being Meaning Exceedi

  • schedule

    Etymology Old French eschedual Latin schedula Greek schedē a writing tablet Mea

  • look

    Etymology Old English lōcian to see Proto West Germanic lōkijanan Proto Germanic

  • mushroom

    Etymology The word mushroom has its origins in the Old French word mouscheron which

  • inimical

    Etymology Latin inimīcus enemy Proto Indo European h₃en h₁kó s uncongenia

  • satellite

    Etymology The word satellite comes from the Latin word satelles which means atten

  • escrow

    Etymology The term escrow is derived from the Old French word escroue or escroe wh

  • quell

    Etymology Old High German quëllan Old Saxon quellan Middle Low German quellen Middle

  • native

    Etymology Native derives from the Old and Middle English word natif which in turn c

  • duplicity

    Etymology Duplicity is derived from the Latin word duplex meaning double or two

  • obey

    Etymology Old French obéir Latin obedire Ob meaning towards audire meaning t