Hygroscopic: meaning, definitions and examples
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hygroscopic
[ haɪˈɡrɒskəpɪk ]
material property
Hygroscopic refers to the ability of a substance to absorb moisture from the air. This property is commonly found in salts, sugars, and some polymers. Hygroscopic materials can change their physical state or form when exposed to humidity.
Synonyms
moisture-absorbing, water-attracting
Examples of usage
- Sugar is hygroscopic and can clump together in humid conditions.
- Silica gel is often used in packaging to absorb excess moisture due to its hygroscopic nature.
- Wood is hygroscopic and can swell or shrink with changes in humidity.
Translations
Translations of the word "hygroscopic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 higroscópico
🇮🇳 हाइग्रोस्कोपिक
🇩🇪 hygroskopisch
🇮🇩 higroskopis
🇺🇦 гігроскопічний
🇵🇱 higroskopijny
🇯🇵 吸湿性の (きゅうしつせいの)
🇫🇷 hygroscopique
🇪🇸 higroscópico
🇹🇷 higroskopik
🇰🇷 흡습성의 (흡습성)
🇸🇦 مستجيب للرطوبة
🇨🇿 hygroskopický
🇸🇰 hygroskopický
🇨🇳 吸湿性的 (xīshīxìng de)
🇸🇮 higroskopičen
🇮🇸 hýgróskopískur
🇰🇿 гигроскопиялық
🇬🇪 ჰიგროსკოპული
🇦🇿 higroskopik
🇲🇽 higroscópico
Etymology
The term 'hygroscopic' originates from the Greek word 'hygros,' meaning 'wet' or 'moist,' combined with 'skopein,' which means 'to look' or 'to view.' It was first used in the early 19th century to describe substances that attract and hold water molecules from the surrounding environment. The concept is particularly important in fields such as materials science, chemistry, and meteorology, where understanding a substance's interaction with moisture is crucial. Over time, the application of hygroscopic materials has expanded into various industries, including food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and construction, where controlling humidity is a key factor.