Terms starting with C
66 terms · page 1 of 3
Calorimetry
The experimental science and practice of measuring heat energy changes during chemical or physical transformations.
Foundations of PhysicsCandela
The SI base unit of luminous intensity in a given direction, defined by fixing the luminous efficacy of 540 THz monochromatic radiation to…
Mathematical & Computational PhysicsCanonical Transformation
A change of coordinates in phase space (q, p) → (Q, P) that preserves the canonical form of Hamilton's equations.
Electromagnetism & ElectronicsCapacitance
The ratio of the electric charge stored on a conductor or capacitor plate to the potential difference across it.
Electromagnetism & ElectronicsCapacitive Reactance
The opposition offered by a capacitor to alternating current flow, inversely proportional to AC frequency and capacitance.
Condensed Matter & Materials PhysicsCarbon Nanotubes
Cylindrical nanostructures composed of rolled-up single-layer graphene sheets possessing exceptional mechanical strength and electrical…
Biophysics & Medical PhysicsCardiac Biomechanics
The application of solid and fluid mechanics principles to model heart chamber contraction, blood flow dynamics, and myocardial wall stress.
Thermodynamics & Statistical PhysicsCarnot Cycle
An ideal reversible thermodynamic cycle operating between two thermal reservoirs, establishing maximum theoretical efficiency for heat…
Foundations of PhysicsCartesian Coordinates
An orthogonal coordinate system that specifies point locations in space using signed distance projections along mutually perpendicular axes…
OpticsCartesian Sign Convention
A standardized coordinate rule used in geometric optics to assign consistent algebraic signs to distances, heights, and focal lengths.
Quantum & Atomic PhysicsCasimir Effect
An attractive physical force acting between two uncharged parallel conductive plates in vacuum, arising from quantum vacuum fluctuations.
OpticsCassegrain Telescope
A compact reflecting telescope design combining a concave parabolic primary mirror and a convex hyperbolic secondary mirror.
Foundations of PhysicsCentre of Mass
The unique spatial point representing the mean mass-weighted position of a physical system or extended rigid body.
Classical MechanicsCentripetal Acceleration
The inward acceleration of an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center of curvature.
Classical MechanicsCentripetal Force
The net inward force directed toward the center of curvature that keeps an object moving along a curved or circular path.
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsChandler Wobble
A small periodic nutation wobble of Earth's rotational axis relative to its solid crust with a period of ~433 days.
Astrophysics, Cosmology & RelativityChandrasekhar Limit
The maximum mass that a stable white dwarf star can support against gravitational collapse via electron degeneracy pressure.
Mathematical & Computational PhysicsChaos Theory
The study of deterministic non-linear dynamical systems that exhibit extreme sensitivity to initial conditions (the butterfly effect).
Thermodynamics & Statistical PhysicsCharles's Law
An ideal gas law stating that gas volume is directly proportional to absolute thermodynamic temperature at constant pressure.
Thermodynamics & Statistical PhysicsChemical Potential
The change in system free energy per added particle at constant temperature and pressure.
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsCherenkov Radiation
The characteristic blue optical shockwave radiation emitted when a charged particle travels through a dielectric medium faster than the…
OpticsChromatic Aberration
An optical distortion in lenses caused by material dispersion, where different wavelengths of light focus at different spatial positions.
Classical MechanicsCircular Motion
The movement of an object along the circumference of a circular path or orbit.
Waves, Oscillations & AcousticsClosed Organ Pipes
An acoustic pipe closed at one end and open at the other, having a displacement node at the closed end and an antinode at the open end.