臨界
Meanings
A formal or technical noun for the boundary at which a state or behavior changes; often used with に達する, を越える, or に近い.
Under these conditions, the system is close to the boundary between stable and unstable.
criticality; nuclear criticality
Physics and especially nuclear-engineering use: the state in which a chain reaction is self-sustaining.
The reactor reached criticality.
noun-modifying (irregular)
critical; at the critical point
Prenominal technical use in compounds such as 臨界点, 臨界温度, 臨界圧力, 臨界状態, and 臨界質量.
The critical temperature of water is about 374 degrees.
We measure the critical pressure of this substance.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉が臨界に達するfor something to reach the critical threshold
The reaction reached its critical threshold.
- 〈物〉が臨界を超えるfor something to exceed the critical threshold
If the pressure exceeds the critical threshold, the device shuts down.
- 〈物〉が臨界に近いto be close to the critical threshold
The reactor was in a state close to criticality.