| Potential Energy: | (english) The energy stored in a raised object (e.g. the weights in a grandfather clock). Potential energy equals mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration of gravity, and h is the vertical distance from a reference location. It is called potential energy because the energy can be regained when the object is lowered. This type of potential energy is sometimes called gravitational potential energy in order to distinguish it from elastic potential energy: see elastic energy. |
| Reaction: | (english) A reaction is a force exerted by a support on an object: sometimes called support reaction. Using this definition, a reaction is an external force. |
| Shear: | (english) An system of internal forces whose resultant is a force acting perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a structural member or assembly: sometimes called shear force. |
| Yield stress: | (english) A material loaded beyond its yield stress, no longer exhibits linear elastic behavior. Metals, particularly mild steel, generally have a very well defined yield stress compared to other materials. Yield stress is sometimes called yield strength. |
| Bacteria | (Environmental Engineering) One celled microorganisms which do not have a nuclear membrane. |
| Composting | (Environmental Engineering) The controlled aerobic degradation of organic wastes into a material which can be used for landscaping, landfill cover, or soil conditioning. |
| Dump | (Environmental Engineering) An illegal and uncontrolled area where wastes have been placed on or in the ground. See Landfill. |
| Landfill | (Environmental Engineering) A legal and controlled area for the placement of wastes into the ground. |
| Landfilling | (Environmental Engineering) The placement of wastes into the land under controlled conditions to minimize their migration or effect on the surrounding environment. |
| Thiols | (Environmental Engineering) Organic compounds which contain the "-SH" functional group. Also called mercaptans. |