Joule-Thomson effect

[ jool-tom-suh n, joul- ]
/ ˈdʒulˈtɒm sən, ˈdʒaʊl- /

noun Thermodynamics.

the change of temperature that a gas exhibits during a throttling process, shown by passing the gas through a small aperture or porous plug into a region of low pressure.
Compare free expansion.

Origin of Joule-Thomson effect

1895–1900; named after J. P. Joule and Sir W. Thomson

British Dictionary definitions for joule-thomson effect

Joule-Thomson effect

noun

a change in temperature of a thermally insulated gas when it is forced through a small hole or a porous material. For each gas there is a temperature of inversion above which the change is positive and below which it is negative Also called: Joule-Kelvin effect

Word Origin for Joule-Thomson effect

C20: named after James Prescott Joule and Sir William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin