British thermal unit

British thermal unit
Equivalent E*quiv"a*lent ([-e]*kw[i^]v"[.a]*lent), n. 1. Something equivalent; that which is equal in value, worth, weight, or force; as, to offer an equivalent for damage done. [1913 Webster]

He owned that, if the Test Act were repealed, the Protestants were entitled to some equivalent. . . . During some weeks the word equivalent, then lately imported from France, was in the mouths of all the coffeehouse orators. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

2. (Chem.) That comparative quantity by weight of an element which possesses the same chemical value as other elements, as determined by actual experiment and reference to the same standard. Specifically: (a) The comparative proportions by which one element replaces another in any particular compound; thus, as zinc replaces hydrogen in hydrochloric acid, their equivalents are 32.5 and 1. (b) The combining proportion by weight of a substance, or the number expressing this proportion, in any particular compound; as, the equivalents of hydrogen and oxygen in water are respectively 1 and 8, and in hydric dioxide 1 and 16. [1913 Webster]

Note: This term was adopted by Wollaston to avoid using the conjectural expression atomic weight, with which, however, for a time it was practically synonymous. The attempt to limit the term to the meaning of a universally comparative combining weight failed, because of the possibility of several compounds of the substances by reason of the variation in combining power which most elements exhibit. The equivalent was really identical with, or a multiple of submultiple of, the atomic weight. [1913 Webster]

3. (Chem.) A combining unit, whether an atom, a radical, or a molecule; as, in acid salt two or more equivalents of acid unite with one or more equivalents of base. [1913 Webster]

{Mechanical equivalent of heat} (Physics), originally defined as the number of units of work which the unit of heat can perform, equivalent to the mechanical energy which must be expended to raise the temperature of a pound of water one degree Fahrenheit; later this value was defined as one {British thermal unit} (B.t.u). Its value was found by Joule to be 772 foot pounds; later measurements give the value as 777.65 foot-pounds, equivalent to 107.5 kg-meters. This value was originally called Joule's equivalent, but the modern Joule is defined differently, being 10^{7} ergs. The B.t.u. is now given as 1,054.35 absolute Joules, and therefore 1 calorie (the amount of heat needed to raise one gram of water one degree centigrade) is equivalent to 4.186 Joules. [1913 Webster + PJC]

Note: The original definition of the Mechanical equivalent of heat in the 1913 Webster was as below. The difference between foot pounds and kilogram-meters ("on the centigrade scale") is puzzling as it should be a factor of 7.23, and the figure given for kilogram-meters may be a mistaken misinterpretation of the report. -- PJC: The number of units of work which the unit of heat can perform; the mechanical energy which must be expended to raise the temperature of a unit weight of water from 0[deg] C. to 1[deg] C., or from 32[deg] F. to 33[deg] F. The term was introduced by Dr. Mayer of Heilbronn. Its value was found by Joule to be 1390 foot pounds upon the Centigrade, or 772 foot pounds upon the Fahrenheit, thermometric scale, whence it is often called {Joule's equivalent}, and represented by the symbol J. This is equal to 424 kilogram meters (Centigrade scale). A more recent determination by Professor Rowland gives the value 426.9 kilogram meters, for the latitude of Baltimore. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • British Thermal Unit — Pour les articles homonymes, voir BTU. Le British Thermal Unit (abrégé en Btu ou BTU) est une unité d énergie anglo saxonne qui est définie par la quantité de chaleur nécessaire pour élever la température d une livre anglaise d eau d un degré °F… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • British thermal unit — n. a unit of heat equal to about 252 calories; quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit: abbrev. Btu …   English World dictionary

  • British thermal unit —   [ brɪtɪʃ θəːməl juːnɪt], Einheitenzeichen BTU, auch B. Theodor U. oder B. th. und, in Großbritannien verwendete Einheit der Wärmeenergie: diejenige Wärmemenge, die erforderlich ist, um ein Pound Wasser bei der Temperatur 39,2 ºF und bei einem… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • British thermal unit — n the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at a specified temperature (as 39°F) abbr. Btu * * * (BTU) the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree …   Medical dictionary

  • British thermal unit — (B.T.U., BTU, Btu) The amount of heat required to raise a pound of water one degree Fahrenheit …   Black's law dictionary

  • British thermal unit — (B.T.U., BTU, Btu) The amount of heat required to raise a pound of water one degree Fahrenheit …   Black's law dictionary

  • British thermal unit — Pour les articles homonymes, voir BTU. Unité d énergie, BTU Le British Thermal Unit (abrégé en Btu ou BTU) est une unité d énergie anglo saxonne qui est définie par la quantité de chaleur nécessaire pour élever la température d une livre anglaise …   Wikipédia en Français

  • British thermal unit — Einheit Norm Angloamerikanisches Maßsystem Einheitenname British thermal unit Einheitenzeichen BTU Dimensionsname Energie Dimensionssymbol …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • British thermal unit — The British thermal unit (BTU or Btu) is a unit of energy used in the power, steam generation, heating and air conditioning industries. Although it is still used unofficially in metric English speaking countries (such as Canada, the United… …   Wikipedia

  • British thermal unit — (Btu or BTU or BThU)    a unit of heat energy defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In America the British thermal unit is sometimes called the heat unit. In defining the… …   Dictionary of units of measurement

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”