Physics terms starting with W

W and Z Bosons Nuclear & Particle Physics GeV/c² (Rest Mass Energy) Massive elementary vector gauge bosons that mediate the weak nuclear interaction. M_W ≈ 80.38 GeV/c², M_Z ≈ 91.19 GeV/c², Spin = 1

Wadati-Benioff Zone Geophysics & Environmental Physics km (Focal Depth) A planar dipping zone of earthquake foci produced by the subduction of a cold, rigid oceanic lithospheric plate into the mantle. Seismic Focal Depth down to ~670 km along dipping slab

Water Equivalent Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics kg (or g) The mass of water that absorbs or releases the exact same amount of heat as a calorimeter body for an identical temperature change. w = m_cal c_cal / c_water

Wattless Current Electromagnetism & Electronics A (Amperes) The component of alternating current that is 90 degrees out of phase with AC voltage, consuming zero net electrical power. I_wattless = I_rms sin φ

Wave Dispersion Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics N/A The phenomenon where wave phase velocity depends on wave frequency or wavelength in a medium. v_p = f(λ), d²ω/dk² ≠ 0

Wave Function Quantum & Atomic Physics m^(-3/2) (in 3D space) A complex-valued mathematical function containing all the physical information about the state of an isolated quantum mechanical system. ψ(x, t) = A e^(i (k x - ω t))

Wave Number Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics rad/m (or m⁻¹) A spatial frequency measure expressing the number of radians or wave cycles per unit distance. k = 2π / λ

Wave Packet Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics m A short localized burst or envelope of wave energy formed by the superposition of multiple waves with slightly different frequencies. Δx Δk ≥ ½

Wave-Particle Duality Quantum & Atomic Physics Dimensionless Concept The fundamental quantum mechanical principle stating that every subatomic entity exhibits both wave-like and particle-like behavior depending on the experimental measurement. E = h ν, p = h / λ

Waveform Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics N/A The visual shape or graph of a signal or wave as a function of time or spatial position. y = f(x - v t)

Weak Nuclear Force Nuclear & Particle Physics Range ~ 10⁻¹⁸ m The short-range fundamental interaction responsible for flavor-changing particle transformations, neutrino interactions, and radioactive beta decay. Mediated by massive W⁺, W⁻, and Z⁰ gauge bosons

Weber-Fechner Law Biophysics & Medical Physics Psychophysical Scale (e.g. dB, Stellar Magnitude) A psychophysical law stating that human subjective sensory perception is proportional to the logarithm of the physical stimulus intensity. p = k ln(S / S₀) (Perceived Sensation = k ln(Stimulus Intensity))

Weight Foundations of Physics N The downward gravitational force exerted on an object's mass by a surrounding gravitational field. W = m g

Wheatstone Bridge Electromagnetism & Electronics Ω (Ohms) An electrical bridge network consisting of four resistor arms used to measure an unknown electrical resistance with high precision. R_x = R₃ (R₂ / R₁) (when balanced: I_galvanometer = 0)

Whistler Waves Plasma Physics Audio Frequency Pitch Glissando (kHz) A right-hand circularly polarized electromagnetic wave mode propagating along magnetic field lines in a magnetized plasma below electron cyclotron frequency. v_phase = c √(ω ω_ce) / ω_pe (For ω ≪ ω_ce)

White Dwarf Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity M_☉ (Mass) or R_Earth (Radius) The dense stellar remnant remaining after a low-to-medium mass star exhausts its core nuclear fuel and sheds its outer layers. P_deg ∝ ρ^(5/3) (Electron Degeneracy Pressure)

Wien's Displacement Law Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics m·K The physical law stating that peak emission wavelength of a blackbody spectrum is inversely proportional to its absolute temperature. λ_max T = b ≈ 2.89777 × 10⁻³ m·K

Work Classical Mechanics J (N·m) The scalar energy transferred to or from an object by a force acting through a displacement. W = F · d = |F| |d| cos θ

Work Hardening Condensed Matter & Materials Physics MPa (Increased Yield Strength) The strengthening of a metal by plastic deformation, caused by dislocation multiplication and entanglement obstructing further slip. σ_y = σ₀ + α G b √ρ_dislocation (Taylor Relation)

Work-Energy Theorem Classical Mechanics J The principle stating that net work done by all forces acting on an object equals the net change in its kinetic energy. W_net = ΔKE = ½ m vf² - ½ m vi²

Wormhole Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity Einstein-Rosen Bridge Topology A hypothetical topological feature of spacetime creating a shortcut connecting two separate points in space and time. ds² = -c² dt² + dl² + (r₀² + l²) (dθ² + sin²θ dφ²)

Terms starting with W