Terms starting with D
36 terms · page 1 of 2
Damped Oscillations
Oscillatory motion whose mechanical energy and amplitude decrease exponentially over time due to dissipative forces like friction or…
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsDarcy's Law
A foundational hydrogeological equation describing the flow rate of fluid through a porous medium under a hydraulic gradient.
Astrophysics, Cosmology & RelativityDark Energy
An unknown form of energy with negative pressure that permeates all space and drives the accelerated expansion of the universe.
Astrophysics, Cosmology & RelativityDark Matter
A non-baryonic form of matter that does not absorb, reflect, or emit electromagnetic radiation, detectable solely through its gravitational…
Astrophysics, Cosmology & RelativityDark Matter Halo
An extended, nearly spherical region of dark matter enveloping a galaxy or galaxy cluster that extends far beyond the visible stellar disk.
Quantum & Atomic PhysicsDavisson-Germer Experiment
A 1927 physics experiment that experimentally confirmed De Broglie's matter wave hypothesis by demonstrating electron diffraction from a…
Quantum & Atomic PhysicsDe Broglie Wavelength
The wavelength associated with a massive particle, expressing its intrinsic wave-like character.
Plasma PhysicsDebye Length
The characteristic spatial scale over which mobile charge carriers in a plasma screen out localized electrostatic potentials.
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsDecay Constant
The probability per unit time that an individual radioactive nucleus will undergo spontaneous nuclear decay.
Waves, Oscillations & AcousticsDecibel Scale
A logarithmic scale used to express sound intensity or sound pressure level relative to a reference threshold.
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsDendrochronology
The scientific discipline of dating annual tree rings to reconstruct past local climate conditions and calendar dates.
Plasma PhysicsDense Plasma Focus
A pulsed plasma device that uses electromagnetic forces to accelerate and pinch a plasma column into a short-lived, high-density hot spot.
Foundations of PhysicsDensity
The mass per unit volume of a substance under specified temperature and pressure conditions.
Foundations of PhysicsDependent Variable
The factor measured or observed in an experiment that changes in response to manipulations of the independent variable.
Thermodynamics & Statistical PhysicsDeposition
The direct phase transition of a gas into a solid without passing through an intermediate liquid phase.
Foundations of PhysicsDerived Units
Units of measurement formed as algebraic combinations of the seven fundamental SI base units.
Electromagnetism & ElectronicsDiamagnetism
A universal weak magnetic property of matter where applied magnetic fields induce opposing atomic orbital currents that weakly repel the…
Mathematical & Computational PhysicsDifferential Equation
A mathematical equation relating an unknown function to its derivatives with respect to one or more independent variables.
OpticsDiffraction
The bending, spreading, and interference of light waves around the edges of an obstacle or through a narrow aperture.
OpticsDiffraction Grating
An optical element with a periodic structure of thousands of closely spaced parallel rulings or lines that disperses light into its…
Foundations of PhysicsDimensional Analysis
An analytical method used to verify equation consistency and establish mathematical relationships between physical quantities by examining…
Mathematical & Computational PhysicsDirac Delta Function
A generalized function (distribution) that is zero everywhere except at x = 0 where it is infinite, with an integral over all space equal…
Condensed Matter & Materials PhysicsDislocation
A 1D line defect or irregularity in a crystal lattice where atomic planes are misaligned, governing plastic deformation in metals.
OpticsDispersive Power
A dimensionless material property measuring a prism or lens material's ability to separate different spectral wavelengths.