Thermal stability

Thermal stability is the stability of a molecule

Molecule

A molecule is an electrically neutral group of at least two atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their electrical charge...

 at high temperature

Temperature

Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Objects of low temperature are cold, while various degrees of higher temperatures are referred to as warm or hot...

s; i.e. a molecule with more stability has more resistance to decomposition at high temperatures.

Thermal stability also describes, as defined by Schmidt (1928), the stability of a water body and its resistance to mixing. This is the amount of work needed to transform the waterbody (e.g. a lake) to a uniform water density. The Schmidt stability 'S' is commonly measured in Joule per square metre or g*cm/cm². Compare Stratification

Stratification (water)

Water stratification occurs when water masses with different properties - salinity , oxygenation , density , temperature - form layers that act as barriers to water mixing...

.

Further reading

• Schmidt, W. 1928. Über Temperatur und Stabilitätsverhältnisse von Seen. Geogr. Ann 10: 145 - 177.