Zero Point (Noun)
Meaning
The point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The zero point on the Richter scale represents the minimum seismic energy detectable by seismographs.
- To determine the object's actual temperature, the thermometer's zero point needed to be calibrated first.
- On the Fahrenheit scale, the zero point is arbitrarily set at 32 degrees below the freezing point of water.
- A change in the zero point of the temperature scale does not change the size of one degree.
- In an effort to make navigation more precise, cartographers reset the zero point of their grid system.