Found 2 items, similar to cross section.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: cross section cross section n 1: a section created by a plane cutting a solid perpendicular to its longest axis 2: a sample meant to be representative of a whole population 3: (physics) the probability that a particular interaction (as capture or ionization) will take place between particles; measured in barns
English → English (gcide) Definition: cross section cross section \cross section\ v. t. to create one or a series of cross sections[3] by cutting (an object) into thin slices. [PJC] cross section \cross section\ n. 1. a flat plane cutting through a three-dimensional object, usually at right angles to the longest axis of the object. [PJC] 2. any visual representation of a cross section[1], showing the internal structure of the object in the plane of the cross section; as, the technician prepared a series of MRI cross sections of the skull. Note: Different cross sections created by different techniques may show different aspects of internal structure. Thus computerized axial tomography using X-rays shows different structures than are visualized by MRI. [PJC] 3. a thin slice of an object made by cutting it transversely; as, to view a cross section of a bacterium with an electron microscope after staining the DNA; cross sections were prepared with a microtome. [PJC] 4. a representative sample of a complex group; as, the town contained a cross section of the American population. [PJC] 5. (Physics) a measure of the probability that a nucleus will interact in a specified way with a bombarding particle, expressed as the effective area that the nucleus presents to the particle; -- called also nuclear cross section. [PJC]