TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
FREE SURFACE ENERGY [10 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2023-03-14
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Physics
- Electronics
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- field emission
1, record 1, English, field%20emission
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
- FE 2, record 1, English, FE
correct
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- field electron emission 2, record 1, English, field%20electron%20emission
correct
- electron field emission 2, record 1, English, electron%20field%20emission
correct
- electric field electron emission 2, record 1, English, electric%20field%20electron%20emission
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
... the emission of electrons from the surface of a conductor under the influence of a strong electric field as a result of the tunnel effect. 3, record 1, English, - field%20emission
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Electric field electron emission is the process by which free electrons are emitted from the metal surface when strong electric field is applied. Electric field electron emission is also called as electron field emission, field electron emission and field emission. Electric field electron emission occurs not only in metals, but also in liquids. Field electron emission occurs in metals that are placed at very strong electric field. In other words, field electron emission occurs when large amount of energy in the form of electric field is applied to the free electrons in the metals. 2, record 1, English, - field%20emission
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Physique
- Électronique
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- émission de champ
1, record 1, French, %C3%A9mission%20de%20champ
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- émission de champ des électrons 1, record 1, French, %C3%A9mission%20de%20champ%20des%20%C3%A9lectrons
correct, feminine noun
- émission par effet de champ électrique 2, record 1, French, %C3%A9mission%20par%20effet%20de%20champ%20%C3%A9lectrique
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Émission par effet de champ électrique [...] L'émission électronique résulte dans ce cas de l'application d'un champ électrique de grande valeur à la surface du corps émetteur. Dans ce champ, les électrons sont soumis à des forces très intenses et certains d'entre eux, qui ne sont pas attirés par le noyau de l'atome avec une force suffisante, sont arrachés. 2, record 1, French, - %C3%A9mission%20de%20champ
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Física
- Electrónica
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- emisión de campo
1, record 1, Spanish, emisi%C3%B3n%20de%20campo
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Emisión de electrones, desde un metal o semiconductor a un vacío, bajo la influencia de un campo eléctrico potente. 1, record 1, Spanish, - emisi%C3%B3n%20de%20campo
Record 2 - internal organization data 2008-03-05
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Water Treatment (Water Supply)
- Solar Energy
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- solar distillation
1, record 2, English, solar%20distillation
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- solar distillation process 2, record 2, English, solar%20distillation%20process
correct
- solar desalination 3, record 2, English, solar%20desalination
correct
- solar evaporation 4, record 2, English, solar%20evaporation
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Solar distillation. The solar distillation process makes use of the fact that water will evaporate from a free surface at a temperature below its boiling point. A simple solar still [acts as a greenhouse]. The sun's rays pass through a sloping glass cover... The solar energy is absorbed by a black basin in the bottom of the still,... the heated water evaporates..., rises to the top... and condenses. The condensate-fresh water-trickles down... to a collecting trough. 2, record 2, English, - solar%20distillation
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Traitement des eaux
- Énergie solaire
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- distillation solaire
1, record 2, French, distillation%20solaire
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Il est facile de penser à se servir, pour la distillation, [...] d'énergie solaire. On opère à l'aide de bacs à fond noirci, où l'on maintient une faible épaisseur d'eau de mer, au-dessus desquels on crée un effet de serre en disposant des châssis vitrés inclinés; l'eau s'évapore, se condense sur la paroi en verre et est recueillie par une goulotte. [En parlant d'un autre procédé :] le coût arriverait ainsi à être de l'ordre de grandeur de celui de la distillation solaire. 1, record 2, French, - distillation%20solaire
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2003-10-21
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Meteorology
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics (Physics)
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- forced convection
1, record 3, English, forced%20convection
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Convection caused by mechanical forces, such as those arising from air motion over a rough or sloping surface. 2, record 3, English, - forced%20convection
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Convection... is a principal means of energy transfer. Distinction is made between free convection(gravitational or buoyant convection), motion caused only by density differences within the fluid; and forced convection, motion induced by mechanical forces such as deflection by a large-scale surface irregularity, turbulent flow caused by friction at the boundary of a fluid, or motion caused by any applied pressure gradient. Free and forced convection are not necessarily exclusive processes. On a windy day with overcast sky, the heat exchange between ground and air is an example of forced convection. On a sunny day with a little wind where the ground temperature rises, both kinds of convection take place. 3, record 3, English, - forced%20convection
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Météorologie
- Thermodynamique
- Mécanique des fluides et hydraulique (Physique)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- convection forcée
1, record 3, French, convection%20forc%C3%A9e
correct, feminine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Convection d'une masse d'air causée par des forces mécaniques extérieures au système considéré. 2, record 3, French, - convection%20forc%C3%A9e
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Meteorología
- Termodinámica
- Mecánica de fluidos e hidráulica (Física)
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- convección forzada
1, record 3, Spanish, convecci%C3%B3n%20forzada
feminine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Convección producida por fuerzas mecánicas tales como las debidas al movimiento del aire sobre una superficie rugosa o una pendiente. 1, record 3, Spanish, - convecci%C3%B3n%20forzada
Record 4 - internal organization data 2003-10-09
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Meteorology
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics (Physics)
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- free convection
1, record 4, English, free%20convection
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- natural convection 2, record 4, English, natural%20convection
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Convection caused by density differences within the air. 3, record 4, English, - free%20convection
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Free convection is the rising of heated air and the sinking of cooler air without the need of external forces. 4, record 4, English, - free%20convection
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Convection... is a principal means of energy transfer. Distinction is made between free convection(gravitational or buoyant convection), motion caused only by density differences within the fluid; and forced convection, motion induced by mechanical forces such as deflection by a large-scale surface irregularity, turbulent flow caused by friction at the boundary of a fluid, or motion caused by any applied pressure gradient. Free and forced convection are not necessarily exclusive processes. On a windy day with overcast sky, the heat exchange between ground and air is an example of forced convection. On a sunny day with a little wind where the ground temperature rises, both kinds of convection take place. 5, record 4, English, - free%20convection
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Météorologie
- Thermodynamique
- Mécanique des fluides et hydraulique (Physique)
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- convection libre
1, record 4, French, convection%20libre
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- convection naturelle 2, record 4, French, convection%20naturelle
feminine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Convection provoquée par des différences de densité de l'air. 1, record 4, French, - convection%20libre
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[La] convection naturelle [...] est causée par le réchauffement diurne de la surface terrestre, résultant souvent en la formation de nuages Cumulus. 2, record 4, French, - convection%20libre
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Meteorología
- Termodinámica
- Mecánica de fluidos e hidráulica (Física)
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- convección libre
1, record 4, Spanish, convecci%C3%B3n%20libre
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Convección producida por diferencias de densidad dentro del aire. 1, record 4, Spanish, - convecci%C3%B3n%20libre
Record 5 - internal organization data 2003-07-08
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- supersaturation
1, record 5, English, supersaturation
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
In meteorology, the condition existing in a given portion of the atmosphere (or other space) when the relative humidity is greater than 100 per cent, that is, when it contains more water vapor than is needed to produce saturation with respect to a plane surface of pure water or pure ice. 2, record 5, English, - supersaturation
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Such supersaturation does develop because frequently there is no "plane surface of pure water(or ice) "available. In the absence of water surfaces and in the absence of condensation nuclei or any wettable surfaces, phase change from vapor to liquid cannot occur due to the free energy barrier imposed by the surface free energy of the embryonic droplets which would then have to form by spontaneous nucleation... Cloud condensation occurs in our atmosphere at relative humidities near 100 per cent only because nature provides an abundance of condensation nuclei. 2, record 5, English, - supersaturation
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
A most air sample is said to be supersaturated with respect to water or to ice. 3, record 5, English, - supersaturation
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- sursaturation
1, record 5, French, sursaturation
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Formation des nuages. - La condensation se produit théoriquement quand l'air qui se refroidit atteint le point de condensation mais si l'air est très pur, il peut contenir une quantité de vapeur d'eau supérieure à la saturation sans que la phase liquide apparaisse. On parle alors de sursaturation. 2, record 5, French, - sursaturation
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Il faut préciser s'il s'agit d'une sursaturation par rapport à la glace ou par rapport à l'eau. 3, record 5, French, - sursaturation
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Le terme «sursaturation» a aussi un autre sens en chimie physique. 3, record 5, French, - sursaturation
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- sobresaturación
1, record 5, Spanish, sobresaturaci%C3%B3n
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Estado del aire que contiene más vapor del que corresponde, como máximo, a su temperatura y presión. 1, record 5, Spanish, - sobresaturaci%C3%B3n
Record 6 - internal organization data 1998-03-18
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Chemistry
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- differential free surface energy
1, record 6, English, differential%20free%20surface%20energy
correct, standardized
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
differential free surface energy : term standardized by AFNOR. 2, record 6, English, - differential%20free%20surface%20energy
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Chimie
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- énergie superficielle libre différentielle
1, record 6, French, %C3%A9nergie%20superficielle%20libre%20diff%C3%A9rentielle
correct, feminine noun, standardized
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[...] travail à fournir pour augmenter ou former la surface d'un liquide de façon isotherme, isobare et réversible, se traduit par un apport d'énergie libre au système. [Définition normalisée par l'AFNOR et reproduite avec son autorisation.] 1, record 6, French, - %C3%A9nergie%20superficielle%20libre%20diff%C3%A9rentielle
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
énergie superficielle libre différentielle : terme normalisé par l'AFNOR. 2, record 6, French, - %C3%A9nergie%20superficielle%20libre%20diff%C3%A9rentielle
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 1998-03-18
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Chemistry
- Thermodynamics
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- free energy of adhesion
1, record 7, English, free%20energy%20of%20adhesion
correct, standardized
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The work required to achieve, in an isothermal, isobaric and reversible manner, a separation at the interface between two phases(liquid/solid) with the formation of a new free liquid surface of the same dimensions as the initial interface, is reflected in an increase in the free energy of the system.... It is the sum of the free energy of wetting and the free surface energy. It is expressed in ergs. [Definition standardized by ISO. ] 2, record 7, English, - free%20energy%20of%20adhesion
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
free energy of adhesion: term standardized by ISO and AFNOR. 3, record 7, English, - free%20energy%20of%20adhesion
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Chimie
- Thermodynamique
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- énergie libre d'adhésion
1, record 7, French, %C3%A9nergie%20libre%20d%27adh%C3%A9sion
correct, feminine noun, standardized
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[...] travail à fournir pour provoquer d'une façon isotherme, isobare et réversible une séparation à l'interface limitant deux phases (liquide-solide) avec formation d'une nouvelle surface liquide libre conservant les mêmes dimensions que l'interface initiale, se traduit par un apport d'énergie libre au système. [...] Elle est la somme de l'énergie libre de mouillage et de l'énergie superficielle libre; elle s'exprime en ergs. [Définition normalisée par l'ISO.] 2, record 7, French, - %C3%A9nergie%20libre%20d%27adh%C3%A9sion
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
énergie libre d'adhésion : terme normalisé par l'ISO et par l'AFNOR. 3, record 7, French, - %C3%A9nergie%20libre%20d%27adh%C3%A9sion
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 1998-03-18
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Chemistry
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- free energy of wetting
1, record 8, English, free%20energy%20of%20wetting
correct, standardized
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The work obtained when a surface is wetted in an isothermal, isobaric and reversible manner without changing the size of the free liquid surface, is reflected in a diminution in the free energy of the system. It is expressed in ergs. [Definition standardized by ISO. ] 1, record 8, English, - free%20energy%20of%20wetting
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
free energy of wetting: term standardized by ISO.] 2, record 8, English, - free%20energy%20of%20wetting
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Chimie
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- énergie libre de mouillage
1, record 8, French, %C3%A9nergie%20libre%20de%20mouillage
correct, feminine noun, standardized
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Le travail obtenu lorsqu'on mouille une surface d'une façon isotherme, isobare et réversible, sans modification simultanée de la grandeur de la surface liquide libre, se traduit par une diminution de l'énergie libre du système. [...] elle s'exprime en ergs. [Définition normalisée par l'ISO.] 1, record 8, French, - %C3%A9nergie%20libre%20de%20mouillage
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
énergie libre de mouillage : terme normalisé par l'ISO. 2, record 8, French, - %C3%A9nergie%20libre%20de%20mouillage
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1998-02-16
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Chemistry
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- surface state
1, record 9, English, surface%20state
correct
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Energy level localized in the surface region of semiconductors which do not bear any direct relation to the bulk energy level distribution, but which can exchange electrons with the bulk. In such a case, a space charge may arise : even when the free charge density is zero. 1, record 9, English, - surface%20state
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Chimie
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- état de surface
1, record 9, French, %C3%A9tat%20de%20surface
correct, masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[...] niveau d'énergie localisée dans le région de surface des semi-conducteurs qui n'at aucune relation directe avec la distribution des niveaux d'énergie à l'intérieur de la phase, mais qui peut échanger des électrons avec l'intérieur de la phase. Dans un tel cas, il peut se développer une charge d'espace, même lorsque la densité de charge libre est égale à zéro. 1, record 9, French, - %C3%A9tat%20de%20surface
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1995-03-01
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Energy (Physics)
Record 10, Main entry term, English
- work function 1, record 10, English, work%20function
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, Textual support, English
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Energy(or work) required to withdraw an electron completely from a metal surface. This energy is a mesure of how tightly a particular metal holds its electrons--that is, of how much lower the electron's energy is when present within the metal than when completely free. The work function is important in applications involving electron emission from metals, as in photocells(electric eyes) and vacuum tubes. 2, record 10, English, - work%20function
Record 10, Key term(s)
- energy function
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Énergie (Physique)
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- travail d'extraction
1, record 10, French, travail%20d%27extraction
masculine noun
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Énergie minimale nécessaire pour faire passer un électron d'un niveau de Fermi à l'infini, exprimé en eV [électron-volt] (électronique théorique). 1, record 10, French, - travail%20d%27extraction
Record 10, Key term(s)
- énergie d'extraction
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


