Pronunciation: [sˈɛntɪbˌɑː] (IPA) 
The word "centibar" is spelled as /sɛntɪbɑr/. The first syllable is pronounced "sent" with a short "e" sound like in "pen" and a "t" sound, followed by "i" pronounced like in "bit". The second syllable is pronounced "bar" with a "b" sound and a long "a" sound like in "car". "Centi" is a prefix meaning "one hundredth", so "centibar" refers to a unit of pressure measurement equal to one hundredth of a bar.
Centibar is a unit of pressure measurement, symbolized as cbar, that is used to quantify soil water potential, specifically the tension or pressure within the soil pores. It is derived from the combination of two terms: "centi-" indicating a factor of one hundredth and "bar," which is a unit of pressure equivalent to 100,000 pascals (Pa). As a result, one centibar is equal to one one-hundredth of a bar or 1,000 pascals.
Centibars are employed in agriculture and hydrology to evaluate the soil's moisture level and its ability to retain water. They provide a measurement of the force required to extract water from the soil against the opposing forces of capillary action and gravity. The lower the centibar value, the higher the moisture content in the soil, indicating greater ease of water movement and availability for plants. Conversely, higher centibar readings suggest drier conditions with increased difficulty for plant roots to extract moisture from the soil.
Centibars are often utilized in conjunction with other variables such as soil type, weather conditions, and vegetation requirements to determine irrigation needs and maintain optimal soil moisture for crop growth. By regularly monitoring centibar measurements, farmers and scientists can make informed decisions regarding irrigation schedules and prevent potential water stress or excessive water usage.
A unit of atmospheric pressure, the hundredth part of a bar.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "centibar" comes from the combination of two parts: "centi-" and "bar".
1. "Centi-" is a prefix derived from the Latin word "centum", meaning "hundred". It is commonly used in the metric system to indicate the division by 100.
2. "Bar" is a unit of pressure named after Heinrich von Bar, a German scientist who made significant contributions to the measurement of atmospheric pressure in the 19th century. It represents approximately one million dynes per square centimeter or 100,000 pascals.
Therefore, "centibar" can be understood as a unit of pressure where the "bar" is divided into 100 equal parts.
