Cryogenic temperature, which refers to extremely low temperatures below −150°C, is spelled with three syllables: cry-o-gen-ic. The pronunciation of the word is [kraɪoʊˈdʒɛnɪk], where the first syllable starts with the diphthong sound [ kraɪ], the second and third syllables contain a schwa sound [oʊ] and [ɛnɪk], respectively. The spelling of this word follows the English spelling system, where the combination of letters "cryo-" represents the Greek word "krýos" meaning "cold" and "-genic" refers to "producing or formed by" in English.
Cryogenic temperature refers to extremely low temperatures that are achieved through the use of cryogenic techniques. These temperatures are typically below -150 degrees Celsius (-238 degrees Fahrenheit) and are close to absolute zero, the lowest temperature theoretically achievable. Cryogenic temperatures are used in various scientific, technological, and medical applications.
The term "cryogenic" originates from the Greek word "kryos," meaning "cold" or "icy." Cryogenic temperature is often achieved by the liquefaction and subsequent cooling of gases, such as nitrogen or helium, which have exceptionally low boiling points. Cryogenic systems rely on the principles of thermal insulation and vacuum technology to maintain these frigid temperatures.
The significance of cryogenic temperature lies in its ability to induce unique physical and chemical properties in materials and substances. At these extreme temperatures, matter can exhibit phenomena such as superconductivity, where electrical resistance disappears, and superfluidity, where fluids flow with zero viscosity. Cryogenic temperature is also crucial for preserving biological and medical samples, as it slows down molecular motion and extends their storage life.
Due to its wide array of applications, cryogenic temperature has become invaluable in fields such as physics, chemistry, engineering, space exploration, and medicine. From manufacturing superconductors to studying the behavior of matter, cryogenic temperature enables scientists and engineers to unlock new insights, develop innovative technologies, and advance our understanding of the world at a fundamental level.
The word "cryogenic" is derived from the Greek words "kryos" meaning "frost" or "icy cold" and "genes" meaning "producing" or "generated". "Temperature" is derived from the Latin word "temperatura" which means "a mixing in due proportion". Therefore, the term "cryogenic temperature" refers to extremely low temperatures where materials exhibit unique properties related to the production or generation of frost or icy cold conditions.