An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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The change in dimensions of a material resulting from a change in temperature.

→ thermal; → expansion.

A vector quantity that depends on the distribution of temperature in three dimensions with respect to a given point. The magnitude and orientation of the maximum thermal gradient are given by: ∇T = (∂T/∂x)i + (∂T/∂y)j + (∂T/∂z)k, where T is the temperature distribution function in three dimensions, and i, j, and k are the unit vectors along the x, y, and z axes defining the temperature field. Same as → temperature gradient.

→ thermal; → gradient.

A mechanism for the → transport of → electrons which occurs when the → Fermi level lies below a low but wide energy → barrier. The → tunneling probability across the barrier is considerably suppressed due to the width of the barrier. However, at higher temperatures, the electron can raise its energy with the assistance of a vibrational mode. The electron is said to hop from one side of the barrier to the other side via an intermediate state.

→ thermal; → hop; → -ing.

The tendency of a body to resist a change in temperature. A body with a low thermal inertia requires very few calories to change its surface temperature. A low thermal inertia material tends to be thermally insulating, so that the surface temperature changes readily, but those changes are not conducted to depth within the material (Ellis et al., 2007, Planetary Ring Systems, Springer).

→ thermal; → inertia.

The → Jeans mass when → turbulence is insignificant.

→ thermal; → Jeans; → mass.

The random motions and collisions of molecules, atoms, electrons, or other subatomic particles constituting an object at all temperatures above → absolute zero. The thermal motion of particles rises with the temperature of those particles and is governed by the laws of → thermodynamics. The most convincing experimental proof of thermal motion → Brownian motion.

→ thermal; → motion.

A neutron of very slow speed and consequently of low energy. The energy of thermal neutrons is of the same order as the → thermal energy of the atoms and molecules of the substance through which they are passing.

→ thermal; → neutron.

Electric noise signals that are produced by the random thermal motion of charges in circuit.

→ thermal; → noise.

The ordinary pressure in a gas that is due to motions of particles and can be attributed to the object's → temperature.

→ thermal; → pressure.

Repeated instabilities of the He burning shell which ignites in sudden burst during the final phases of the → AGB evolution.

→ thermal; → pulse.

The energy radiated from an object in the form of → electromagnetic waves as a result of its → temperature. Thermal radiation ranges in → wavelength from the longest → infrared radiation through the → visible light spectrum to the shortest → ultraviolet rays. In opposition, → non-thermal radiation is caused by energetic particles.

→ thermal; → radiation.

Stresses induced in a material because of rapid temperature change or a → thermal gradient .

→ thermal; → shock.

A → transient → rise in → temperature above the normal level in a medium.

→ thermal; → spike.

In star formation models, the gas pressure that counters the collapsing pull of gravity.

→ thermal; → support.

1) The process by which a system reaches → thermal equilibrium. Thermalization results from energy exchange between the components constituting the system and their exchange with the outside medium. In a gas at a given temperature, molecules move with different velocities. The gas temperature corresponds to the mean velocity of the molecules, but individual molecules may deviate largely from the mean velocity. Some move very fast others slowly and change velocity upon collisions. Collisions reduce the energy of fast moving molecules and increase that of slow ones. In the process of thermalization → matter and → radiation are in constant interaction such that their → temperatures become identical. The process goes on until energy distribution reaches → equilibrium. The system is said to be → thermalized.
2) The condition where in an → atomic or → molecular → transition the → Boltzmann factor for the two → levels of transition takes on the value it would have in → thermodynamic equilibrium.

Verbal noun of → thermalize.

To bring neutrons into → thermal equilibrium with their surroundings; to produce → thermal neutrons.

From → thermal + → -ize.

Yekgarmâyidan, literally "equal warming," from yek-, → one, + garmâyidan, infinitive from garmâ, → thermo-.

A collisionally excited spectral line formed in high density condition well above the → critical density. At such densities the → excitation temperature is at (or very near) the → kinetic temperature of the gas. At low densities, below the critical density, the excitation temperature will be only slightly above the radiation temperature and the emission line will be practically invisible.

Thermalized, p.p. of → thermalize; → line.

An electron that has been emitted from a heated body such as the hot cathode of an electron tube.

From therm- variant of → thermo- before a vowel + → ion.

Electrons gaining enough thermal energy to escape spontaneously from the cathode or dynodes and mimic photoelectrons.

thermion; → emission.

A combining form meaning "heat, hot," used in the formation of compound words. Also therm- before a vowel.

From Gk. therme "heat," thermos "hot;" cf. L. fornax "oven, kiln," related to fornus, furnus "oven," and to formus "warm;" cognate with Pers. garm "warm," as below; P.Gmc. *warmaz (O.E. wearm; E. warm; O.H.G., Ger. warm).

Garmâ "heat, warmth," from Mid.Pers. garmâg; O.Pers./Av. garəma- "hot, warm;" cf. Skt. gharmah "heat;" cognate with Gk. therme, thermos, as above; PIE *ghworm-/*ghwerm- "warm."