Next page Previous page

point defect

A deviation from ideal crystal structure about a point location; e.g.,
interstitial, atom missing (Schottky), or combined (Frenkel).
CF:crystal defect; Frenkel defect; Schottky defect.

point driver

In metal mining, a person who drives steam or water points (specially made
pipes with a chisel bit at one end) into the frozen ground of a placer
deposit in advance of dredging operations, to thaw the ground so that it
can be worked by the dredge for recovery of gold. Syn:thawing
DOT

pointed box

A box, in the form of an inverted pyramid or wedge, in which minerals,
after crushing and sizing, are separated in a current of water.
See also:spitzkasten

point group

One of 32 geometrically possible arrays of symmetry elements intersecting
at a point. These symmetry elements are axes of rotation, both proper and
improper (1 = i, 2 = m). All minerals having the symmetry of one point
group belong to the same crystal class. CF:symmetry; crystal class;
space group.

point kriging

Estimating the value of a point from a set of nearby sample values using
kriging. The kriged estimate for a point will usually be quite similar to
the kriged estimate for a relatively small block centered on the point,
but the computed kriging standard deviation will be higher. When a kriged
point happens to coincide with a sampled location, the kriged estimate
will equal the sample value. See also:kriging

point of attack

See:portal

point of compound curvature

The point of tangency common to two curves of different radii, the curves
lying on the same side of the common tangent. Abbrev., P.C.C.
Seelye, 2

point of curvature

The point where the alignment changes from a straight line or tangent to a
circular curve; i.e., the point where the curve leaves the first tangent.
Abbrev., P.C. Seelye, 2

point of decalescence

See:decalescence

point of frog

The intersection gagelines of the main track and a turnout. Kiser

point of intersection

a. The point where intersecting lines cross one another. Jones, 2
b. The point where the two tangents to a circular curve intersect.
Abbrev., P.I. Also called vertex. Seelye, 2

point of recalescence

See:recalescence

point of switch

That point in the track where a car passes from the main line onto the
rails of a turnout. Kiser

point of tangency

The point where the alignment changes from a circular curve to a straight
line or tangent; i.e., the point where the curve joins the second tangent.
Abbrev., P.T. Seelye, 2

point plotting

In seismology, a procedure in reflection interpretation in which depth
points are computed and plotted for each seismogram trace separately.
Schieferdecker

point source

A single point from which light emanates; e.g., the sun or a lamp
filament, or their reflections. In the case of multiple reflections, each
is a point source.

poise

a. The unit of absolute viscosity, equal to one dyne-second per square
centimeter. Named from the physicist Poiseuille. AGI
b. The second unit of fluid viscosity, often expressed in centimeters or
grams. See also:absolute viscosity; Poiseuille's law. Pryor, 3

Poiseuille's law

A statement in physics that the velocity of flow of a liquid through a
capillary tube varies directly as the pressure and the fourth power of the
diameter of the tube and inversely as the length of the tube and the
coefficient of viscosity. See also:poise

poisoning

a. In ion-exchange terminology, loading of resin sites with unwanted ions,
thereby eliminating them as locations for loading. Pryor, 3
b. Fouling of an organic solvent used in stripping pregnant leach liquor.
Pryor, 3

Poisson's ratio

The ratio of the lateral unit strain to the longitudinal unit strain in a
body that has been stressed longitudinally within its elastic limit. It is
one of the elastic constants. Symbol: sigma .
CF:modulus of incompressibility

poker man

A laborer who removes blue powder and ash residue from retorts after
molten zinc has been tapped. Also called scraper. DOT