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| [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Breakdown2.jpg|right|frame]] | | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Breakdown2.jpg|right|frame]] |
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− | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1827] | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1827] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1: the [[action]] or result of breaking down: as a : a [[failure]] to [[function]] | | *1: the [[action]] or result of breaking down: as a : a [[failure]] to [[function]] |
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| ==Descriptions== | | ==Descriptions== |
| *'''Chemical Decomposiiton''' | | *'''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]. | + | Chemical decomposition, analysis or '''breakdown''' is the [[separation]] of a [https://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 [https://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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_spectrometry mass spectrometry], traditional [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravimetric_analysis gravimetric analysis], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermogravimetric_analysis thermogravimetric analysis]. |
| *'''Decomposition''' | | *'''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]]. | + | 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 [https://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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taphonomy taphonomy] from the [[Greek]] word ''taphos'', meaning [[tomb]]. |
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− | 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. | + | One can differentiate abiotic from biotic decomposition ([https://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''' |
| 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]]. | | 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]]. |
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− | 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. | + | The terms "nervous breakdown" and "mental breakdown" have not been [[formally]] defined through a [[diagnostic]] system such as the [https://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. |
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| Specific cases are sometimes [[described]] as a "breakdown" only after a person becomes unable to [[function]] in day-to-day life. | | Specific cases are sometimes [[described]] as a "breakdown" only after a person becomes unable to [[function]] in day-to-day life. |