What is meant by the term "zeroing" in regard to the Intoxilyzer 9000?

The term "zeroing" in relation to the Intoxilyzer 9000 refers specifically to calibrating the device for baseline readings. This process is critical to ensure that the machine accurately measures the blood alcohol content (BAC) of a breath sample. When a device is zeroed, it essentially sets a reference point at which the readings can begin, ensuring that any subsequent measurements taken during the testing process are accurate and reliable.

By establishing a baseline, the Intoxilyzer 9000 can detect and quantify the amount of alcohol present in a breath sample compared to this zero point. This accuracy is crucial for legal compliance and for providing reliable results in determining whether an individual is over the legal limit for alcohol consumption.

The other options reflect different processes that are not related to setting the baseline for measurements. For instance, cleaning the device does not influence its calibration or measurements. Testing without a sample is a procedure that may be conducted for diagnostics but does not involve setting any baseline. Adjusting for temperature variations can be important in specific contexts, but it is not the primary definition or function associated with "zeroing" the device.