nematic
- adjective
- /nəˈmætɪk/
- Specialized
- A nematic liquid crystal can change its alignment when an electric field is applied.
- nematic liquid crystal
- nematic liquid
- twisted nematic
Examples
-
The nematic phase is commonly used in liquid crystal displays for its optical properties.
-
Scientists observed a transition from the nematic to the smectic phase under certain conditions.
-
The nematic phase is crucial for many display technologies.
-
In a nematic liquid crystal, molecules align parallel to each other.
-
Yurke chose a nematic liquid crystal because it offers excellent optical properties for their experiments.
-
The display is made using a nematic liquid crystal panel, which provides sharper images and faster response times.
-
In the nematic phase, the molecules are aligned in parallel, creating unique visual effects in liquid crystal technology.
Surface Forms
Morphology
nematic = nemat + ic
Formed from a specialized combining form 'nemat-' + '-ic'; the combining form is not a familiar standalone English word and the sense is technical, so average learners cannot derive the meaning from common components.
Etymology
The word nematic comes from the Greek root nema meaning 'thread'. Imagine the molecules as tiny threads all pointing the same way, and that is why nematic describes a phase where the molecules are aligned in parallel.