Terms starting with S
72 terms · page 3 of 3
Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking
A physics phenomenon where the underlying mathematical equations of a system possess symmetry, but the ground state (vacuum) drops into a…
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsStandard Model
The theoretical physics framework classifying all known elementary particles and describing three fundamental forces: electromagnetism…
Waves, Oscillations & AcousticsStanding Waves
A stationary wave pattern formed by the superposition of two identical waves traveling in opposite directions along the same medium.
Quantum & Atomic PhysicsStark Effect
The shifting and splitting of atomic spectral lines caused by the presence of an external static electric field.
Classical MechanicsStatic Equilibrium
The state of a rigid body where both net external force and net external torque are zero, keeping the body completely at rest.
Mathematical & Computational PhysicsStatistics and Probability
The mathematical frameworks for analyzing random phenomena, quantifying measurement uncertainty, and modeling ensemble behavior in…
Thermodynamics & Statistical PhysicsStefan-Boltzmann Law
The physical law asserting that total radiant power emitted per unit surface area of a blackbody is proportional to the fourth power of its…
Astrophysics, Cosmology & RelativityStellar Nucleosynthesis
The collective nuclear fusion reactions inside stars that synthesize heavier chemical elements from lighter primordial hydrogen and helium.
Plasma PhysicsStellarator
A magnetic confinement fusion device that produces a helical magnetic field using complex, 3D non-planar external electromagnetic coils…
Quantum & Atomic PhysicsStern-Gerlach Experiment
A landmark 1922 experiment that proved space quantization and the intrinsic angular momentum (spin) of subatomic particles.
Quantum & Atomic PhysicsStimulated Emission
The process in which an incoming photon stimulates an excited atom to drop to a lower state, emitting a second identical photon.
Biophysics & Medical PhysicsStochastic vs Deterministic Radiation Effects
The classification of biological radiation damage into probability-driven stochastic risks (cancer) and threshold-driven deterministic…
Classical MechanicsStokes' Law
A mathematical law expressing viscous drag force experienced by small spherical particles moving at low speeds through a viscous fluid.
Mathematical & Computational PhysicsStokes' Theorem
A fundamental vector calculus theorem relating the surface integral of the curl of a vector field over an open surface S to the line…
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsStratosphere
The second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the tropopause (~12 km) up to the stratopause (~50 km), containing the…
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsStrong Nuclear Force
The powerful fundamental interaction that binds quarks together into hadrons and holds protons and neutrons together inside the atomic…
Thermodynamics & Statistical PhysicsSublimation
The direct phase transition of a substance from solid to gas state without passing through an intermediate liquid phase.
Condensed Matter & Materials PhysicsSuperalloys
High-performance metallic alloys engineered to maintain exceptional mechanical strength, creep resistance, and oxidation resistance at high…
Condensed Matter & Materials PhysicsSuperconductivity
A macroscopic quantum state of matter where certain materials exhibit exactly zero electrical DC resistance and complete expulsion of…
Condensed Matter & Materials PhysicsSuperfluidity
A macroscopic quantum state of matter where a fluid flows with exactly zero viscosity and zero kinetic entropy.
Astrophysics, Cosmology & RelativitySupernova
A catastrophic stellar explosion marking the death of a star, briefly outshining an entire galaxy and dispersing heavy elements into space.
Condensed Matter & Materials PhysicsSurface Energy
The excess thermodynamic energy at the surface of a material relative to its interior bulk, caused by disrupted, incomplete atomic bonds.
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsSynchrotron
A large ring-shaped particle accelerator in which guiding magnetic fields and accelerating RF electric fields increase synchronously as…
Foundations of PhysicsSystematic Error
A consistent, repeatable error in experimental measurements that skews data in the same direction from the true value.