unstable
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unstable
(ŭn-stā′bəl)adj. unsta·bler, unsta·blest
1. Chemistry
a. Decomposing readily.
b. Highly or violently reactive.
2. Physics
a. Decaying with relatively short lifetime. Used of subatomic particles.
b. Radioactive.
un·sta′ble·ness n.
un·sta′bly adv.
unstable
[unstā′bəl]
1 in an excited or active state, such as an atom with a nucleus possessing excess energy.
2 easily broken down or prone to decomposition.
unstable
adjective Referring to the structural or physical lability or instability of a chemical or other substance during production, transportation, or storage. See Unstable reactive substance.unstable,
adj 1. not firm or fixed in one place; likely to move.
2. capable of undergoing spontaneous change. A nuclide in an unstable state is called
radioactive. An atom in an unstable state is called
excited.
2. capable of undergoing spontaneous change. A nuclide in an unstable state is called
radioactive. An atom in an unstable state is called
excited.
unstable angina
n a form of pain that is prodromal to acute myocardial infarction. It typically has a sudden onset, sudden worsening, and stuttering recurrence over days and weeks. It carries a more severe short-term prognosis than stable chronic angina. Nearly one third of unstable angina patients experience myocardial infarction within 3 months of the first episode.
unstable
having a tendency to disrupt, e.g. unstable chemicals.
unstable fracture
the principal fragments in a reduced fracture are overriding. Slow union or nonunion results.