critical quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a specific amount or level is essential for a particular outcome or process, often in scientific or technical discussions. Example: "In order to trigger the reaction, we need to reach a critical quantity of the catalyst."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This theory suggests that the utility or value to a consumer of an additional unit of a product is (at least beyond some critical quantity) inversely related to the number of units of that product he already owns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the same time, the workfunction is another critical quantity in understanding the field emission properties of carbon nanotubes.

Nanoscale Research Letters

As shown in the previous sections, one critical quantity that determines the settling is the pH of the water.

Earth, Planets and Space

This is a critical quantity for electron sources as it has a direct impact on the maximum brightness achievable.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

The in-cylinder AFR is in fact a critical quantity responsible for the formation of NOx and particulate matter emission.

Control Engineering Practice

In particular the radiation dose absorbed in the Epoxy insulator was shown to be the most critical quantity in this regard.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Phosphates and nitrates are two of the types of nutrients that are most important in this connection, particularly since they are often introduced in critical quantities in waste effluents from human sources.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In turn, two critical quantities are required, namely, TD,0 and TV,0.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Numerous fatigue criteria require the evaluation of critical quantities to estimate fatigue damage.

International Journal of Fatigue

The approach based on the construction of the minimum circle or hypersphere is often employed in multiaxial high-cycle fatigue criteria to compute critical quantities as the amplitude and mean value of the shear stress.

International Journal of Fatigue

In this study, a single, simple and an accurate computer-aided design model is developed in order to obtain the injection level dependence of the critical quantities of broad-area (with a width of 50 μm or more) InGaAs deep quantum-well (QW) lasers.

Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critical quantity", ensure the context clearly defines what makes that specific quantity 'critical'. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Don't assume "critical quantity" always refers to a large amount. It simply means an amount that is crucial, whether large or small, for a specific purpose or outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical quantity" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "critical" modifies the noun "quantity". Ludwig examples show it describing amounts essential for certain processes or outcomes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical quantity" describes an amount that is essential for a specific purpose or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase is most common in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. Remember that "critical" does not necessarily imply 'large' but rather 'essential', and context is key to understanding its usage. Alternative phrases include "essential amount", "vital amount" and "key quantity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential amount

Replaces "critical" with "essential", emphasizing the necessity of the amount.

vital amount

Substitutes "critical" with "vital", stressing the importance of the amount.

key quantity

Uses "key" instead of "critical", highlighting the importance as a factor.

necessary quantity

Replaces "critical" with "necessary", focusing on the requirement of the amount.

minimum required quantity

Specifies the minimum amount that is needed, adding precision.

threshold quantity

Indicates a quantity that acts as a threshold for a change or effect.

requisite amount

Uses "requisite" to convey that the amount is indispensable or mandatory.

crucial quantity

Replaces "critical" with "crucial", highlighting the decisiveness of the quantity.

pivotal amount

Suggests the quantity is a turning point or central importance.

significant quantity

Emphasizes that the quantity has a notable effect or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "critical quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "critical quantity" to describe an amount that is essential for a specific outcome, such as, "A "critical quantity" of reactants is needed for the reaction to occur".

What's a good alternative to "critical quantity"?

Alternatives include "essential amount", "vital amount", or "key quantity", depending on the specific context.

Is "critical quantity" a formal phrase?

"Critical quantity" is suitable for both formal and scientific contexts. However, consider using more specific terms like "minimum required quantity" if precision is needed.

What determines if a quantity is "critical"?

A quantity is "critical" if it's indispensable for achieving a specific result, maintaining a condition, or triggering a process. The specific context defines what makes the quantity crucial.