Supercold: meaning, definitions and examples

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supercold

 

[ˈsuːpərˌkoʊld ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

extremely cold

Supercold refers to temperatures that are significantly below the normal freezing point of water, often used in scientific contexts or to describe severe winter weather conditions. It can also refer to a state of a material that is colder than its usual freezing point without solidifying.

Synonyms

bitterly cold, extremely cold, frigid.

Examples of usage

  • The supercold air from the Arctic has reached our town.
  • Supercold liquids can exist at temperatures much lower than their freezing point.
  • He felt a supercold gust of wind as he stepped outside.

Interesting Facts

Scientific Phenomena

  • Objects can become supercold at temperatures close to absolute zero, which is -273.15°C (-459.67°F), the point where molecular motion stops.
  • At supercold temperatures, materials can exhibit unusual properties, such as superconductivity, where they conduct electricity with zero resistance.

Physics

  • The state of supercooling allows liquids to remain in liquid form even below their freezing point, which can lead to fascinating scientific experiments.
  • Supercold states in physics can often lead to the formation of Bose-Einstein condensates, where particles behave as a single quantum entity.

Pop Culture

  • In sci-fi movies, supercold environments are often depicted as places where technology is frozen in time or where adventures happen on icy planets.
  • The concept of supercold can also be found in animated films, where characters encounter challenges in snowy or frigid landscapes.

Environmental Science

  • In the context of climate, supercold temperatures can impact ecosystems, affecting plant and animal survival during harsh winters.
  • Scientists study supercold atmospheric conditions to understand their effects on weather patterns and climate change.

Cultural References

  • In many cultures, legends often include icy realms or frost spirits, representing the extreme chill that can be characterized as supercold.
  • Artworks often explore the theme of coldness, portraying landscapes or subjects that evoke feelings of supercold environments.