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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1827] ==Definitions== *1: the action or result of breaking down: as ...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Breakdown2.jpg|right|frame]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1827]
==Definitions==
*1: the [[action]] or result of breaking down: as a : a [[failure]] to [[function]]
:b : failure to [[progress]] or have [[effect]] : disintegration <a breakdown of [[negotiation]]s>
:c : a [[physical]], [[mental]], or nervous collapse
:d : the [[process]] of decomposing
:e : [[division]] into categories : [[classification]]; also : an account [[analyzed]] into categories
*2: a fast shuffling [[dance]]; also : [[music]] for such a dance
==Descriptions==
*'''Chemical Decomposiiton'''
Chemical decomposition, analysis or '''breakdown''' is the [[separation]] of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compound chemical compound] into [[elements]] or simpler compounds. It is sometimes defined as the exact [[opposite]] of a chemical [[synthesis]]. Chemical decomposition is often an undesired [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_reaction chemical reaction]. The stability that a chemical compound ordinarily has is [[eventually]] [[limited]] when [[exposed]] to [[extreme]] environmental conditions like heat, [[radiation]], humidity or the acidity of a solvent. The details of decomposition processes are generally not well defined, as a [[molecule]] may break up into a host of smaller [[fragments]]. Chemical decomposition is exploited in several analytical [[techniques]], notably [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_spectrometry mass spectrometry], traditional [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravimetric_analysis gravimetric analysis], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermogravimetric_analysis thermogravimetric analysis].
*'''Decomposition'''
Decomposition (or rotting) is the [[process]] by which organic material is broken down into simpler forms of [[matter]]. The process is [[essential]] for [[recycling]] the finite matter that occupies physical space in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biome biome]. Bodies of living [[organisms]] begin to decompose shortly after [[death]]. Although no two organisms decompose in the same way, they all undergo the same [[sequential]] [[stages]] of decomposition. The [[science]] which studies decomposition is generally referred to as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taphonomy taphonomy] from the [[Greek]] word ''taphos'', meaning [[tomb]].
One can differentiate abiotic from biotic decomposition ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation biodegradation]). The former means "degradation of a substance by [[chemical]] or [[physical]] processes, eg hydrolysis). The latter one means "the metabolic breakdown of materials into simpler components by living [[organisms]]", typically by microorganisms.
*'''Mental'''
Mental breakdown (also known as a nervous breakdown) is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, [[time]]-limited [[phase]] of a specific disorder that [[manifests]] primarily with features of [[depression]] or [[anxiety]].
The terms "nervous breakdown" and "mental breakdown" have not been [[formally]] defined through a [[diagnostic]] system such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV DSM-IV] or ICD-10, and are nearly absent from current [[scientific]] literature regarding mental illness. Although "nervous breakdown" does not necessarily have a rigorous or static [[definition]], surveys of laypersons suggest that the term refers to a specific acute time-limited reactive disorder, involving [[symptoms]] such as [[anxiety]] or [[depression]], usually precipitated by external [[stress]]ors.
Specific cases are sometimes [[described]] as a "breakdown" only after a person becomes unable to [[function]] in day-to-day life.
*'''Vehicular'''
A vehicle breakdown is the [[mechanical]] [[failure]] of a motor vehicle in such a way that the underlying [[problem]] prevents the vehicle from being operated at all, or impedes the vehicle's operation so much, that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, or else [[dangerous]] to operate. Vehicle breakdowns can occur for a large number of reasons. Depending on the [[nature]] of the [[problem]], the vehicle may or may not need to be towed to an automobile repair shop.
[[Category: General Reference]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1827]
==Definitions==
*1: the [[action]] or result of breaking down: as a : a [[failure]] to [[function]]
:b : failure to [[progress]] or have [[effect]] : disintegration <a breakdown of [[negotiation]]s>
:c : a [[physical]], [[mental]], or nervous collapse
:d : the [[process]] of decomposing
:e : [[division]] into categories : [[classification]]; also : an account [[analyzed]] into categories
*2: a fast shuffling [[dance]]; also : [[music]] for such a dance
==Descriptions==
*'''Chemical Decomposiiton'''
Chemical decomposition, analysis or '''breakdown''' is the [[separation]] of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compound chemical compound] into [[elements]] or simpler compounds. It is sometimes defined as the exact [[opposite]] of a chemical [[synthesis]]. Chemical decomposition is often an undesired [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_reaction chemical reaction]. The stability that a chemical compound ordinarily has is [[eventually]] [[limited]] when [[exposed]] to [[extreme]] environmental conditions like heat, [[radiation]], humidity or the acidity of a solvent. The details of decomposition processes are generally not well defined, as a [[molecule]] may break up into a host of smaller [[fragments]]. Chemical decomposition is exploited in several analytical [[techniques]], notably [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_spectrometry mass spectrometry], traditional [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravimetric_analysis gravimetric analysis], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermogravimetric_analysis thermogravimetric analysis].
*'''Decomposition'''
Decomposition (or rotting) is the [[process]] by which organic material is broken down into simpler forms of [[matter]]. The process is [[essential]] for [[recycling]] the finite matter that occupies physical space in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biome biome]. Bodies of living [[organisms]] begin to decompose shortly after [[death]]. Although no two organisms decompose in the same way, they all undergo the same [[sequential]] [[stages]] of decomposition. The [[science]] which studies decomposition is generally referred to as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taphonomy taphonomy] from the [[Greek]] word ''taphos'', meaning [[tomb]].
One can differentiate abiotic from biotic decomposition ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation biodegradation]). The former means "degradation of a substance by [[chemical]] or [[physical]] processes, eg hydrolysis). The latter one means "the metabolic breakdown of materials into simpler components by living [[organisms]]", typically by microorganisms.
*'''Mental'''
Mental breakdown (also known as a nervous breakdown) is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, [[time]]-limited [[phase]] of a specific disorder that [[manifests]] primarily with features of [[depression]] or [[anxiety]].
The terms "nervous breakdown" and "mental breakdown" have not been [[formally]] defined through a [[diagnostic]] system such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV DSM-IV] or ICD-10, and are nearly absent from current [[scientific]] literature regarding mental illness. Although "nervous breakdown" does not necessarily have a rigorous or static [[definition]], surveys of laypersons suggest that the term refers to a specific acute time-limited reactive disorder, involving [[symptoms]] such as [[anxiety]] or [[depression]], usually precipitated by external [[stress]]ors.
Specific cases are sometimes [[described]] as a "breakdown" only after a person becomes unable to [[function]] in day-to-day life.
*'''Vehicular'''
A vehicle breakdown is the [[mechanical]] [[failure]] of a motor vehicle in such a way that the underlying [[problem]] prevents the vehicle from being operated at all, or impedes the vehicle's operation so much, that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, or else [[dangerous]] to operate. Vehicle breakdowns can occur for a large number of reasons. Depending on the [[nature]] of the [[problem]], the vehicle may or may not need to be towed to an automobile repair shop.
[[Category: General Reference]]