There is a (technical / scientific?) word that temporally escapes me. Wondered if you can help?
It refers to the ability of a system to be defined by the absence of another system rather than in it’s own right.
It’s easier to explain by example.
Cold can only really be defined by the absence of heat (as we measure heat not cold). Therefore cold is a ?????? property.
(I have had no joy on the words section so thought I'd try here)
Any ideas?
2007-02-03 09:46:21 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It's not specific to hot and cold. This was just an example. It can equally be used to describe other systems (say light and dark) because we measure the level of light, not the level of dark. Therefore dark is a (whatever the word is) property.
2007-02-03 09:54:16 · update #1
No not a prefix, but thanks anyway.
It is a specific word. It is not one used commonly, and not at all in "everyday" language. I have a strong science background myself.
2007-02-04 02:59:32 · update #2
HC replies:
Alda, good to hear from you. I’ve been busy so Eternal has not had much time lately. Hope you, family and animals all good. YA seems to have swallowed my Avatar, I’m convinced they will not stomach it for long, he’s an acquired taste. Most annoyingly (you should hear Eternal rant) this is not a riddle, I do not know the answer. It really is a word I’ve forgotten. Absolute fits, it fits well, but I think I’m after a more esoteric word. I can’t find it anywhere after hours of looking. Your solution the best to date (as I have come to expect from you).
This is soooo annoying.
2007-02-06 07:40:45 · update #3
I will try and then I will think. How are you old friend? I do believe what you may be looking for is an absolute..if not I shall think and get back to you. Just checked in on you and saw this and at least had to stop and say hello. Where the heck is your pix?
I answer "absolute" because anything devoid of something else ie: dark devoid of light, heat devoid of cold can only be measured as an absolute. I do believe that is why they use the term "absolutely crazy" meaning devoid of all sanity, same as heat or dark is devoid of cold or light. The absolutely correct answer to a question is one completely without ANY other answer. (not necessarily meaning my answer) Another way to look at it in the absolute property of a perfect world then it would be in the absence of war and famine...I stand by my answer....any absolute property, system, working unit, or measurement is devoid of any other properties ......Alda
2007-02-05 11:55:07 · answer #1 · answered by ஐAldaஐ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The prefix "a" used in conjunction with other words often means not, like asexual, aphotic, abiotic, etc.. I have not seen this used with many common English terms but it is used quite commonly in scientific terminology.
2007-02-03 22:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by ericthor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thermal
2007-02-03 17:48:55 · answer #3 · answered by cedley1969 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
is it exothermic and indothermic that you are looking for? best I can do!
2007-02-03 17:50:59 · answer #4 · answered by onephathippo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
single...
2007-02-03 17:48:37 · answer #5 · answered by pink_luver 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋