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842 terms · page 23 of 36
Numerical Stability
The property of a numerical algorithm ensuring that errors introduced during computation do not magnify uncontrollably over successive time…
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsNutation
Small periodic nodding oscillations superimposed upon Earth's long-term rotational axis precession.
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsOcean Acidification
The ongoing long-term reduction in the pH of Earth's oceans caused by the absorption of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsOcean Currents
Continuous, directed large-scale movements of seawater generated by wind stress, Coriolis force, temperature, salinity differences, and…
Electromagnetism & ElectronicsOhm's Law
An empirical relation stating that the electric current flowing through an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the applied voltage…
Astrophysics, Cosmology & RelativityOlbers' Paradox
The apparent paradox that if the universe were static, infinite, and uniformly populated with stars, the night sky should be uniformly…
Waves, Oscillations & AcousticsOpen Organ Pipes
A cylindrical acoustic pipe open at both ends, containing displacement antinodes at both openings.
Electromagnetism & ElectronicsOperational Amplifier (Op-Amp)
A high-gain DC-coupled electronic voltage amplifier with differential inputs and single-ended output.
OpticsOptical Axis
The imaginary central straight line passing through the centers of curvature of all optical elements in a rotationally symmetric system.
OpticsOptical Fiber
A flexible, transparent glass or plastic fiber that transmits light signals across long distances via total internal reflection.
OpticsOptical Power
A measure of a lens or curved mirror's degree of light convergence or divergence, equal to the reciprocal of its focal length.
Biophysics & Medical PhysicsOptical Tweezers
A biophysical instrument using a strongly focused laser beam to trap, manipulate, and exert piconewton forces on microscopic dielectric…
Quantum & Atomic PhysicsOrbital Angular Momentum
The quantized angular momentum of a quantum particle associated with its orbital spatial motion around a central force field.
Classical MechanicsOrbital Velocity
The speed required for a body to maintain a stable circular orbit around a primary gravitational mass at a given radius.
Foundations of PhysicsOrder of Magnitude
An exponential estimate of the size of a quantity, expressed as the power of ten closest to the numerical value.
Biophysics & Medical PhysicsOsmosis
The net passive diffusion of solvent molecules (water) across a selectively permeable membrane from lower solute concentration toward…
Waves, Oscillations & AcousticsOvertones
Any resonant frequency higher than the fundamental frequency in a musical sound.
Condensed Matter & Materials PhysicsP-type Semiconductor
An extrinsic semiconductor in which trivalent acceptor impurities create an excess concentration of positive holes as majority charge…
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsPaleoclimatology
The scientific study of Earth's past climate conditions across geologic history using indirect environmental proxy records.
Geophysics & Environmental PhysicsPaleomagnetism
The study of the historical record and orientation of Earth's magnetic field preserved in iron-bearing minerals in rocks, sediments, or…
Classical MechanicsParallel Axis Theorem
A theorem stating that the moment of inertia about any axis parallel to a centroidal axis equals the centroidal moment of inertia plus mass…
Electromagnetism & ElectronicsParallel Circuit
An electrical circuit topology in which components are connected across common voltage nodes, offering multiple parallel paths for current.
Mathematical & Computational PhysicsParallel Computing
A computational architecture where large physical calculations are divided into smaller sub-tasks executed simultaneously across multiple…
Electromagnetism & ElectronicsParamagnetism
A weak form of magnetism in which materials with unpaired electrons are weakly attracted into an external magnetic field.