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Condensed Matter & Materials Physics

Miller Indices

A standardized three-integer crystallographic notation system (h k l) used to specify direction vectors and orientation of planes in a…

(h k l) = Reciprocals of lattice axis intercepts Dimensionless Notation System
Optics

Minimum Deviation

The minimum value of deviation angle achieved when light passes symmetrically through a triangular prism.

n = sin[(A + δ_m)/2] / sin(A/2) Degrees (°)
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

Minkowski Space

The flat four-dimensional spacetime manifold combining 3D Euclidean space and time used to formulate Special Relativity.

ds² = -c² dt² + dx² + dy² + dz² Flat 4D Spacetime Metric
Optics

Mirage

An optical illusion caused by continuous refraction of light rays passing through air layers with steep temperature and density gradients.

n(z) = f(Temperature gradient) N/A
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Molar Heat Capacity

The heat energy required to raise the temperature of one mole of a substance by one Kelvin.

C_m = Q / (n ΔT), C_p - C_v = R J/(mol·K)
Foundations of Physics

Mole

The SI base unit for amount of substance, containing exactly 6.02214076 × 10²³ elementary entities.

n = m / M = N / Na mol
Mathematical & Computational Physics

Molecular Dynamics

A computer simulation method for analyzing the physical movements of atoms and molecules by numerically integrating Newton's equations of…

m_i d²r_i/dt² = F_i = -∇_i V(r₁, r₂, ..., r_N) Atomic Trajectory Simulation
Biophysics & Medical Physics

Molecular Motors

Protein-based molecular machines that convert chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work and linear movement.

F_step ≈ 6 pN, Step Size d ≈ 8 nm (Kinesin on Microtubule) pN (Piconewtons) & nm (Step Length)
Classical Mechanics

Moment of Inertia

A quantitative measure of a body's rotational inertia - its resistance to changes in rotational motion about a given axis.

I = ∑ m_i r_i² = ∫ r² dm kg·m²
Classical Mechanics

Momentum

A fundamental vector quantity equal to the product of an object's mass and its velocity, representing its quantity of motion.

p = m v kg·m/s
Mathematical & Computational Physics

Monte Carlo Method

A class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to obtain numerical solutions for complex physical systems.

I ≈ (1 / N) ∑_(i=1)^(N) f(X_i) (Central Limit Theorem) Stochastic Numerical Method
Quantum & Atomic Physics

Moseley's Law

An empirical law establishing a linear relationship between the square root of characteristic X-ray frequency emitted by an atom and its…

√ν = A (Z - b) Hz^(1/2) (Frequency Square Root)
Electromagnetism & Electronics

MOSFET

A Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor that uses an insulated gate voltage to control current flow through an underlying…

I_D = ½ μ_n C_ox (W/L) (V_GS - V_th)² A (Current)
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Most Probable Speed

The particle speed corresponding to the maximum peak of the Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution curve.

v_mp = √(2 kB T / m) = √(2 R T / M) m/s
Electromagnetism & Electronics

Moving Coil Galvanometer, Ammeter & Voltmeter

An electromechanical instrument that measures small currents using magnetic torque on a pivoted coil, converted to an ammeter or voltmeter…

τ = N I A B = k θ; Ammeter: S = I_g G / (I - I_g); Voltmeter: R_s = (V / I_g) - G A (Current), V (Voltage)
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

Multiverse

A hypothetical set of multiple co-existing universes that together comprise all of physical reality.

Cosmic Inflation Bubble Universes & Many-Worlds Everett Branching Cosmological Hypothesis
Nuclear & Particle Physics

Muon

A second-generation elementary charged lepton with a mass approximately 207 times greater than an electron.

m_μ ≈ 105.66 MeV/c², τ_μ ≈ 2.2 μs, Spin = ½ MeV/c² (Mass Energy)
Electromagnetism & Electronics

Mutual Inductance

The induction of an electromotive force in a secondary circuit loop caused by a time-varying current in an adjacent primary circuit loop.

E₂ = -M (dI₁/dt), M = k √(L₁ L₂) H (Henries)
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics

N-type Semiconductor

An extrinsic semiconductor in which pentavalent donor impurities create an excess concentration of free electrons as majority charge…

n ≈ N_D ≫ p, n p = n_i² cm⁻³ (Electron Concentration)
Biophysics & Medical Physics

Nanomedicine

The medical application of nanotechnology utilizing engineered nanoparticles for disease diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and therapy.

EPR Effect: Enhanced Permeability and Retention in Tumors nm (Nanoparticle Diameter ~10–100 nm)
Optics

Near Point & Far Point

The closest and farthest distances at which the human eye can focus objects sharply on the retina.

Near Point ≈ 25 cm (Normal adult eye), Far Point = ∞ m (or cm)
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

Nebula

An interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen, helium, and ionized gases in space, serving as a site for star formation.

M_Jeans = (5 k_B T / (G μ m_H))^(3/2) (3 / (4 π ρ))^(1/2) Light-Years (Diameter)
Biophysics & Medical Physics

Nernst Equation in Biophysics

An equation calculating the exact electrical equilibrium potential across a membrane permeable to a single ion species.

E_ion = (R T / (z F)) ln([Ion]_out / [Ion]_in) mV (Equilibrium Potential)
Biophysics & Medical Physics

Neurophysics

The interdisciplinary field applying physical principles and non-linear mathematical modeling to study nervous system function.

Hodgkin-Huxley Model: C_m (dV/dt) = I_ext - g_Na m³ h (V-E_Na) - g_K n⁴ (V-E_K) - g_L (V-E_L) Biophysical Neural Network Model