Glossary
Terms starting with S
401 definitions · page 4 of 7.
- solar eclipse
- an eclipse of the sun caused by the moon passing between Earth and the sun
- SOLAR ENERGY
- Heat and light radiated from the sun.
- SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SERI)
- Established in 1974 and funded by the federal government, the institute's general purpose is to support U.S. Department of Energy's solar energy program and foster the widespread use of all aspects of solar technology, including photovoltaics, solar heating…
- solar filter
- a filter used to block almost all of the sun’s light so our star can be viewed safely and comfortably
- SOLAR HEAT GAIN
- Heat added to a space due to transmitted and absorbed solar energy.
- SOLAR HEAT GAIN FACTOR
- An estimate used in calculating cooling loads of the heat gain due to transmitted and absorbed solar energy through 1/8"-thick, clear glass at a specific latitude, time and orientation.
- SOLAR HEATING AND HOT WATER SYSTEMS
- Solar heating or hot water systems provide two basic functions: (a) capturing the sun's radiant energy, converting it into heat energy, and storing this heat in insulated storage tank(s); and (b) delivering the stored energy as needed to either the domestic…
- solar irradiance
- the radiant energy emitted by the sun over all wavelengths that falls each second on one square meter of Earth's atmosphere
- SOLAR IRRADIATION
- The amount of radiation, both direct and diffuse, that can be received at any given location.
- solar mass
- the amount of mass contained in the sun, about 330,000 times that of Earth’s mass
- SOLAR POWER
- Electricity generated from solar radiation.
- SOLAR RADIATION
- Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.
- SOLAR SATELLITE POWER
- A proposed process of using satellites in geosynchronous orbit above the earth to capture solar energy with photovoltaic cells, convert it to microwave energy, beam the microwaves to earth where they would be received by large antennas, and changed from…
- solar system
- the system containing the sun and all the smaller bodies in orbit around it
- SOLAR THERMAL
- The process of concentrating sunlight on a relatively small area to create the high temperatures needs to vaporize water or other fluids to drive a turbine for generation of electric power.
- SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANT
- means a thermal powerplant in which 75 percent or more of the total energy output is from solar energy and the use of backup fuels, such as oil, natural gas, and coal, does not, in the aggregate, exceed 25 percent of the total energy input of the facility…
- solar wind
- the stream of charged subatomic particles emanating from the sun
- SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
- A business owned and run by one person. This business structure is a common form for small businesses. This structure is the simplest and least expensive legal structure, but can have high costs in lost tax advantages and increased personal liability.
- Solid State Sensor
- The use of chip technology (MOS or Metal Oxide Semi-Conductor and CCD or Charged Couple Device) to produce images. Pixels are the individual sensors making up the solid state device.
- solstice
- either of the two points on the celestial sphere where the sun is farthest north or south of the celestial equator; when the sun is at a solstice, the amount of daylight hours is greatest for summer and least for winter
- SOLVENCY
- Insurance companies’ ability to pay the claims of policyholders. Regulations to promote solvency include minimum capital and surplus requirements, statutory accounting conventions, limits to insurance company investment and corporate activities, financial…
- Son daughter
- In immigration law a child becomes a son or daughter when he/she turns 21 or marries. A son or daughter must have once met the definition of a child in immigration law.
- sonata
- A chamber work in several movements; in the Baroque, typically for three parts (the continuo part normally requiring two instruments); in later periods, for one or two instruments.
- sonata form
- A musical form or style, originating in the eighteenth century, based on successive stages of stability, tension, and resolution; the most influential form developed during the age of tonality.
- sonata-concerto form
- A hybrid of Baroque ritornello form and sonata form often used in the Classical concerto.
- sonata-rondo form
- A synthesis of sonata and rondo forms, especially popular in finales of Classical instrumental works.
- song cycle
- A collection of poems set to music and tied together by mood or story line.
- sonority
- A general term for sound quality, either of a brief moment or of an entire composition.
- soprano
- (1) The high woman's (or boy's) voice; (2)the highest voice in a polyphonic texture.
- Sorbet
- A semi-frozen water ice, usually made with fruit, sugar syrup or a liqueur, traditionally served as a palate cleanser between courses but now eaten more commonly as a refreshing dessert. Granita is a slightly coarser, crunchier Italian style of sorbet that…
- Sorrel
- The name sorrel is used to describe several related plants, including wild sorrel and French sorrel. Its name derives from the French for sour, in reference to the plant's characteristic acidity. It's incredibly sour and it shouldn't be eaten in large…
- SOURCE ENERGY
- All the energy used in delivering energy to a site, including power generation and transmission and distribution losses, to perform a specific function, such as space conditioning, lighting, or water heating. Approximately three watts (or 10.239 Btus) of…
- South Celestial Pole
- the point in the sky to which Earth's Geographical South Pole points
- Soy sauce
- Made from defatted soya beans fermented with salt, water and crushed barley or wheat, soy sauce (or soya sauce) forms a basic ingredient in Japanese, Chinese and other Asian cooking. It's either added to dishes during cooking or used as a table condiment…
- space weathering
- the process of altering the surface of an object in space by such phenomena as micrometeoroid impacts, cosmic rays, and the solar wind
- space-time
- the intertwining of the three dimensions of space with one dimension of time within which events can be specified exactly
- spaghetti strap
- A thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice, named for its likeness to a strand of spaghetti.
- Spam
- inappropriate commercial message of extremely low value.
- Spam
- Unsolicited email sent in mass quantities to multiple receipents, most often for marketing purposes. Highly annoying and constituting one of the most serious netiquette violations.
- Spatial Sound
- Gives a wider stereo effect in some tabletop systems. This feature is especially handy for listening to music from monaural sources and making the sound stage seem wider when listening to the system in a small room.
- Spatializer 3D Stereo
- A stereo enhancement technology that creates an enveloping, "three-dimensional" surround sound listening experience from just two speakers.
- Spatially Equalized Speaker (SES)
- System This system places the speakers inside acoustic chambers. The sound resonates through an acoustically matched baffle system, and projects through thin grilles on either side of the TV screen. This system allows for the use of larger speakers…
- Special Agricultural Worker
- farm workers in perishable products who worked for a specified period of time and were able to adjust status to lawful permanent resident according to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
- SPECIAL CONTRACTS
- Any contract that provides a utility service under terms and conditions other than those listed in the utility's tariffs. For example, an electric utility may enter into an agreement with a large customer to provide electricity at a rate below the tariffed…
- Special Immigrant
- A special category of immigrant visas for persons who lost their citizenship by marriage; persons who lost citizenship by serving in foreign armed forces; certain foreign medical school graduates; Panama Canal immigrants; and certain others.
- special relativity
- the theory of relativity governing uniform motion; it states the equivalence of mass and energy and differs from Newtonian physics only when speeds approach that of light
- SPECIFIC HEAT
- In English units, the quantity of heat, in Btu, needed to raise the temperature of one pound of material one degree Fahrenheit.
- spectra
- plural of "spectrum" (the energy emitted by a radiant source)
- spectral class
- the designation of a star based on its spectrum, which is determined by its surface temperature
- spectral line
- a particular wavelength of light corresponding to the energy transition of a specific atom or molecule
- spectral type
- the designation of a star based on its spectrum, which is determined by its surface temperature
- spectrograph
- an instrument attached to a telescope to record the spectrum of an astronomical object
- spectroheliograph
- a device for photographing the sun in a single wavelength of light
- spectrometer
- an instrument attached to a telescope to record the spectrum of an astronomical object
- spectroscope
- an instrument for examining spectra
- spectroscopy
- the study of spectra from astronomical objects
- spectrum
- 1. the energy emitted by a radiant source 2. the entire range of electromagnetic radiation (light)
- speed of light
- the fastest possible speed in a vacuum, equivalent to 186,000 miles per second (300,000 km per second)
- Spelt
- Spelt (Triticum spelta) is an ancient type of wheat that's native to southern Europe, where it's been used for thousands of years. It has a mellow nutty flavour and is easily digestible, and has a slightly higher protein content than ordinary wheat. Spelt…
- SPF
- Sun Protection Factor. A higher SPF means more protection from the sun.