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Terms starting with T

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Nuclear & Particle Physics

Tau Lepton

The third-generation elementary charged lepton, with a mass approximately 3,477 times heavier than an electron.

m_τ ≈ 1776.8 MeV/c², τ_τ ≈ 2.9 × 10⁻¹³ s, Spin = ½ MeV/c² (Mass Energy)
Mathematical & Computational Physics

Taylor Series

An infinite polynomial series representation of a smooth function expressed in terms of its higher-order derivatives evaluated at a single…

f(x) = ∑_(n=0)^(∞) (f^(n)(a) / n!) (x - a)^n Infinite Polynomial Expansion
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Temperature

A macroscopic scalar measure of the average translational kinetic energy of constituent particles in a physical system.

1 / T = (∂S / ∂U)_V, E_avg = (3/2) kB T K (°C, °F)
Classical Mechanics

Tension

The pulling force transmitted axially through a string, rope, cable, or structural member.

T = m g + m a N
Mathematical & Computational Physics

Tensor

A multilinear geometric object describing linear relationships between algebraic vectors, tensors, and scalars independent of coordinate…

T'^ij = (∂x'^i / ∂x^k) (∂x'^j / ∂x^l) T^kl Geometric Multilinear Object
Classical Mechanics

Terminal Velocity

The constant maximum speed attained by a falling body when upward aerodynamic drag equals downward gravitational force.

v_t = √(2 m g / (ρ A Cd)) m/s
Optics

Terrestrial Telescope

A refracting telescope incorporating an additional erecting lens system between objective and eyepiece to yield an upright image for ground…

M = f_obj / f_eye, Tube Length L = f_obj + 4 f_erect + f_eye Dimensionless (×)
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Thermal Conduction

The transfer of thermal energy through a stationary medium via microscopic particle collisions and free electron movement without bulk…

q = -k A (dT/dx) (Fourier's Law) W/m² (k in W/(m·K))
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Thermal Convection

The transfer of heat energy between a solid surface and an adjacent moving fluid, driven by bulk fluid motion.

q = h A (T_surface - T_fluid) (Newton's Law of Cooling) W (h in W/(m²·K))
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Thermal Efficiency

The dimensionless ratio of net mechanical work produced by a heat engine to total thermal energy input supplied.

η = W_net / Q_input = 1 - (Q_out / Q_in) Dimensionless (%)
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Thermal Radiation

The emission of electromagnetic energy from matter due to thermal agitation of its charged constituent particles.

P = ε σ A T⁴ (Stefan-Boltzmann Law) W
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Thermal Stress

Mechanical stress developed within a material when thermal expansion or contraction is constrained by rigid boundaries.

σ = E α ΔT Pa (N/m²)
Plasma Physics

Thermal vs Non-Thermal Plasmas

The classification of plasmas based on thermodynamic equilibrium between electron temperature T_e and heavy ion/gas temperature T_i.

Thermal: T_e ≈ T_i ≈ T_gas; Non-Thermal: T_e ≫ T_i ≈ T_gas Kelvin or eV
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Thermohaline Circulation

The global deep-ocean density-driven circulation loop powered by surface variations in seawater temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).

Density ρ = ρ(T, S, P) (Function of Temperature and Salinity) Sv (Sverdrups = 10⁶ m³/s)
Optics

Thin Film Interference

The interference phenomenon occurring when light waves reflected from the top and bottom boundaries of a thin transparent film superimpose.

2 n t cos θ = m λ (Constructive with phase shift) m
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Third Law of Thermodynamics

The law stating that as system temperature approaches absolute zero (0 K), entropy of a pure crystalline substance approaches a minimum…

lim (T → 0) S = 0 J/K
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Threshold of Hearing

The minimum sound pressure level or intensity audible to a healthy human ear at 1000 Hz.

I0 = 10⁻¹² W/m² (0 dB SPL, P0 = 20 µPa) W/m² (0 dB)
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Threshold of Pain

The upper sound intensity limit above which acoustic vibrations cause physical discomfort and immediate structural damage to human ears.

I_pain ≈ 1 W/m² (120 - 130 dB SPL) W/m² (120-130 dB)
Geophysics & Environmental Physics

Tidal Friction

The gravitational interaction where ocean tidal bulges drag ahead of the Earth-Moon axis, causing frictional dissipation of Earth's…

dΩ/dt < 0 (Earth rotation slowing by ~2.3 ms/century) ms/century (Length of Day Increase)
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Timbre

The subjective tone quality or color of a musical sound that distinguishes different instruments playing the same fundamental pitch and…

Fourier Spectrum Balance N/A
Foundations of Physics

Time

A fundamental physical quantity used to sequence events, quantify durations, and measure rates of change in the universe.

Δt = t2 - t1 s
Classical Mechanics

Time of Flight

The total duration a projectile spends in the air from launch until returning to its landing elevation.

T = (2 v0 sin θ) / g s
Biophysics & Medical Physics

Tissue Viscoelasticity

The mechanical property of biological tissues exhibiting both elastic solid-like storage and viscous fluid-like energy dissipation under…

Maxwell / Kelvin-Voigt Models: σ(t) = E ε(t) + η (dε / dt) Pa (Modulus) & Pa·s (Viscosity η)
Plasma Physics

Tokamak

A toroidal magnetic confinement fusion device that utilizes external magnetic coils and an internal driven plasma current to create a…

q = (r B_toroidal) / (R B_poloidal) Dimensionless Safety Factor q