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book lung

(Encyclopedia)book lung, terrestrial respiratory organ characteristic of arachnids such as scorpions and primitive spiders. Each book lung consists of hollow flat plates. Air bathes the outer surface of the plates ...

Big Rapids

(Encyclopedia)Big Rapids, city (2020 pop. 7,727), seat of Mecosta co., W central Mich., at the falls of the Muskegon River; inc. 1869. Agriculture and light manufactu...

aerosol dispenser

(Encyclopedia)aerosol dispenser, device designed to produce a fine spray of liquid or solid particles that can be suspended in a gas such as the atmosphere. The dispenser commonly consists of a container that holds...

Carnot, Nicolas Léonard Sadi

(Encyclopedia)Carnot, Nicolas Léonard Sadi kärnōˈ [key], 1796–1832, French physicist, a founder of modern thermodynamics; son of Lazare N. M. Carnot. His famous work on the motive power of heat (Réflexions ...

sodium bicarbonate

(Encyclopedia)sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate, chemical compound, NaHCO3, a white crystalline or granular powder, commonly known as bicarbonate of soda or baking soda. It is soluble in water and ver...

well

(Encyclopedia)well, aperture in the earth's surface through which substances in a natural underground reservoir, such as water, gas, oil, salt, and sulfur, can flow or be pumped to the surface. In the United States...

Jeannette

(Encyclopedia)Jeannette jənĕtˈ [key], city (1990 pop. 11,221), Westmoreland co., SW Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh; laid out 1888, inc. as a city 1937. Located in a coal and natural gas area, Jeannette produces mac...

turbine

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Types of turbines turbine, rotary engine that uses a continuous stream of fluid (gas or liquid) to turn a shaft that can drive machinery. A water, or hydraulic, turbine is used to drive electr...

pipe

(Encyclopedia)pipe, hollow structure, usually cylindrical, for conducting materials. It is used primarily to convey liquids, gases, or solids suspended in a liquid, e.g., a slurry. It is also used as a conduit for ...

balloon

(Encyclopedia)balloon, lighter-than-air craft without a propulsion system, lifted by inflation of one or more containers with a gas lighter than air or with heated air. During flight, altitude may be gained by disc...

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