z-average

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English

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Etymology

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From the first letter of the German word Zentrifuge (centrifuge), because this measurement was first used with centrifugation data.

Noun

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z-average (plural z-averages)

  1. A weighted average where the value for each component is weighted by the square of its mass or volume.
    • 1984, Howard G. Barth, Modern Methods of Particle Size Analysis, →ISBN, page 113:
      When proper measurements are made, the parameters of the size distribution most often obtained -- the inverse z-average moments -- are not the usually reported parameters of a size distribution.
    • 1995, S. R. Holding, E. Meehan, Molecular Weight Characterisation of Synthetic Polymers, →ISBN, page 4:
      The calculated number average molecular weight is generally very dependent upon the low molecular weight material in the distribution, whilst the z-average is more affected by the high molecular weight material present.
    • 2007 -, Wolfgang Schärtl, Light Scattering from Polymer Solutions and Nanoparticle Dispersions, →ISBN:
      The harmonic average lies in between the z-average and the weight-average particle size.

Usage notes

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The term z-average is used primarily in the context of light scattering or centrifugation measurements.