Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Cross-sectional area refers to the measure of an object's surface area when cut perpendicular to its length or height. In physics, it plays an important role in determining how much heat can be transferred through conduction.