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adiabatically

adiabatically

9.9
So slowly that the system does not move to a different energy state
  • adverb
  • /ˌeɪdiəˈbætɪkli/
  • Specialized
: adiabáticamente
  • In technical terms, the electronic wavefunctions change adiabatically with a shift in nuclear positions (the Born-Oppenheimer approximation), legitimizing the concept of interatomic bonds.

Examples

  • For the experiment, the system must be adjusted adiabatically to maintain a constant energy state.

  • "When materials are moving rapidly, they act differently than when they are treated adiabatically?

    Academic text (2012)
  • When air expands, it does work on its environment and it adiabatically cools its temperature drops.

  • When a gas expands adiabatically, it cools down without losing heat to its surroundings.

  • The compression of the gas was done adiabatically, ensuring that no heat was transferred during the process.

How Slow

adiabatically
  • Specialized
9.9
slowly
∞ 1.0
gradually
228 1.9
quickly
∞ 1.0
suddenly
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

adiabatically positive

Morphology

adiabatically = adiabatic (transparent) = adiabatic + ally

Formed regularly from the adjective 'adiabatic' using the adverbial suffix; the adverbial sense is a direct morphological extension.

Etymology

Adiabatically comes from Greek parts a- meaning 'not' and diabatos meaning 'pass through', so it can be remembered as 'not allowing a change to pass'. That's why in quantum physics an adiabatic change happens so slowly the system stays in the same energy state and does not move into other states.