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isotherm

isotherm

9.5
A line on a map joining places with the same temperature at the same time
  • noun
  • /ˈaɪsəˌθɜrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : isoterma
  • For mid-latitude regions, an average global warming of 1-3.5 degrees Celsius over the next 100 years would be equivalent to shifting isotherms poleward approximately 150-550 km.
  • isotherm at the critical

Examples

  • So as the Earth warms up, that that isotherm goes poleward or up in elevation.

  • The gradual warming of the pile throughout the six months is shown by the shifting 10-degree Celsius isotherms.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The relation between pressure and volume is shown along isotherms, curves of constant temperature.

    Academic text (2002)
  • And part of this whole story is that it should be working between two isotherms TH and TC.

  • Likewise, the destiny of any society or economy could be predicted by mapping isotherms and humidity.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The transition from brittle to plastic deformation coincides with the 350-400 Celsius isotherm in silica-containing rocks.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The meteorologist used isotherms on the weather map to indicate regions with the same temperature.

  • In climate studies, scientists often draw isotherms to understand temperature patterns across different geographic areas.

  • The isotherm on the chart shows that the temperature was consistent at 20 degrees Celsius throughout the region.

Synonyms

isoline
vsisotherm
  • Specialized
8.0

A line on a map that joins places with the same height or temperature

refers only to equal temperature values measured at a particular time
isogeotherm
vsisotherm
  • Specialized
9.9

A line connecting points below the ground that have the same temperature

links surface points that have the same temperature at a given time
isometric line
vsisotherm
  • Specialized
7.2

A line on a map connecting points that have the same value, like temperature or pressure

restricts this marking to temperature values at one specific time
isarithm
vsisotherm
  • Specialized
9.9

A line on a map joining places that have the same temperature or height

focuses that same method specifically on temperature at a time
isogram
vsisotherm
  • Specialized
9.9

A line on a map that connects points with the same value, like temperature

applies that same idea specifically to temperature measurements at one time
isopleth
vsisotherm
  • Specialized
9.9

A line on a map that connects places with the same value, like temperature

is limited to showing temperature equality at a specific moment

Surface Forms

isotherm singular
isotherms plural

Morphology

isotherm = therm (semi-transparent) = iso + therm + iso

Formed by the combining prefix 'iso-' (equal) + 'therm' (heat); the construction is regular in scientific terminology but the combining forms are specialized and not familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Isotherm comes from the Greek parts iso- meaning 'equal' and -therm meaning 'heat', the same root as thermal. So an isotherm is a line on a map that joins places with the same temperature, showing areas of 'equal heat'.