Metastable

Pronunciation: /ˈmɛtəˌsteɪbəl/

Definitions of metastable

adjective Metastable is used to describe a state of matter that is stable but can change into a more stable state under certain conditions.

Example Sentences

A1 Water can exist in a metastable state at certain temperatures and pressures.

A2 The scientist explained that the compound was metastable, meaning it could change form under certain conditions.

B1 The electronics in the device are designed to be metastable, allowing for quick response times.

B2 The researchers discovered a metastable phase of the material that had unique properties.

C1 The engineers worked to stabilize the metastable structure of the chemical compound for industrial use.

C2 The team of physicists studied the metastable states of particles in the experiment to better understand their behavior.

Examples of metastable in a Sentence

formal The metastable state of the compound was carefully studied by the researchers.

informal The compound is in a kind of unstable state that the scientists are looking into.

slang The stuff they're testing is like on the edge, not quite stable yet.

figurative Her emotions were like a metastable equilibrium, ready to shift at any moment.

Grammatical Forms of metastable

• past tense: metastabilized
• plural: metastables
• comparative: more metastable
• superlative: most metastable
• present tense: metastabilizes
• future tense: will metastabilize
• perfect tense: has metastabilized
• continuous tense: is metastabilizing
• singular: metastable
• positive degree: metastable
• infinitive: to metastabilize
• gerund: metastabilizing
• participle: metastabilized

Origin and Evolution of metastable

First Known Use: 1920 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'metastable' originated from the combination of 'meta-' meaning 'beyond' or 'transitional' and 'stable', indicating a state that is temporarily stable but has the potential to change.

Evolution of the word: The term 'metastable' was first used in the field of physics to describe a state of matter that is stable for a certain period but may eventually undergo a transformation. Over time, the word has been adopted in various scientific disciplines to refer to similar transitional states or systems.