Browse the dictionary
842 terms · page 5 of 36
Candela
Foundations of Physics
cd
The SI base unit of luminous intensity in a given direction, defined by fixing the luminous efficacy of 540 THz monochromatic radiation to 683 lm/W.
Iv = dΦv / dΩ
Canonical Transformation
Mathematical & Computational Physics
Phase Space Coordinate Transformation
A change of coordinates in phase space (q, p) → (Q, P) that preserves the canonical form of Hamilton's equations.
(q, p) → (Q, P) such that Q̇_i = ∂K / ∂P_i, Ṗ_i = -∂K / ∂Q_i
Capacitance
Electromagnetism & Electronics
F (Farads = C/V)
The ratio of the electric charge stored on a conductor or capacitor plate to the potential difference across it.
C = q / V = ε A / d
Capacitive Reactance
Electromagnetism & Electronics
Ω (Ohms)
The opposition offered by a capacitor to alternating current flow, inversely proportional to AC frequency and capacitance.
X_C = 1 / (2π f C) = 1 / (ω C)
Carbon Nanotubes
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
nm (Nanotube Diameter)
Cylindrical nanostructures composed of rolled-up single-layer graphene sheets possessing exceptional mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.
Chiral Vector C_h = n a₁ + m a₂
Cardiac Biomechanics
Biophysics & Medical Physics
kPa (Myocardial Wall Stress) & mmHg (Pressure)
The application of solid and fluid mechanics principles to model heart chamber contraction, blood flow dynamics, and myocardial wall stress.
Wall Stress σ = (P × r) / (2 h) (Law of Laplace for Spheres)
Carnot Cycle
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
Dimensionless (%)
An ideal reversible thermodynamic cycle operating between two thermal reservoirs, establishing maximum theoretical efficiency for heat engines.
η_Carnot = 1 - (T_cold / T_hot)
Cartesian Coordinates
Foundations of Physics
m
An orthogonal coordinate system that specifies point locations in space using signed distance projections along mutually perpendicular axes (x, y, z).
d = √((x2-x1)² + (y2-y1)² + (z2-z1)²)
Cartesian Sign Convention
Optics
N/A
A standardized coordinate rule used in geometric optics to assign consistent algebraic signs to distances, heights, and focal lengths.
Origin at optical center/pole; light travels left to right (+x)
Casimir Effect
Quantum & Atomic Physics
N/m² (Pressure)
An attractive physical force acting between two uncharged parallel conductive plates in vacuum, arising from quantum vacuum fluctuations.
F / A = - (π² ℏ c) / (240 d⁴)
Cassegrain Telescope
Optics
Dimensionless
A compact reflecting telescope design combining a concave parabolic primary mirror and a convex hyperbolic secondary mirror.
f_effective = f_primary × (Magnification of secondary)
Centre of Mass
Foundations of Physics
m
The unique spatial point representing the mean mass-weighted position of a physical system or extended rigid body.
R_cm = ∑ m_i r_i / ∑ m_i
Centripetal Acceleration
Classical Mechanics
m/s²
The inward acceleration of an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center of curvature.
ac = v² / r = ω² r
Centripetal Force
Classical Mechanics
N
The net inward force directed toward the center of curvature that keeps an object moving along a curved or circular path.
Fc = m v² / r = m ω² r
Chandler Wobble
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Arcseconds or Meters at Surface
A small periodic nutation wobble of Earth's rotational axis relative to its solid crust with a period of ~433 days.
Period T ≈ 433 days, Amplitude ~ 3–15 meters
Chandrasekhar Limit
Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity
Solar Masses (M_☉)
The maximum mass that a stable white dwarf star can support against gravitational collapse via electron degeneracy pressure.
M_Ch ≈ 1.4 M_☉ (1.44 Solar Masses)
Chaos Theory
Mathematical & Computational Physics
Divergence Rate λ (s⁻¹)
The study of deterministic non-linear dynamical systems that exhibit extreme sensitivity to initial conditions (the butterfly effect).
Lyapunov Exponent: δx(t) ≈ δx₀ e^(λ t), λ > 0
Charles's Law
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
m³/K
An ideal gas law stating that gas volume is directly proportional to absolute thermodynamic temperature at constant pressure.
V1 / T1 = V2 / T2 (at constant P)
Chemical Potential
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J/particle (or J/mol)
The change in system free energy per added particle at constant temperature and pressure.
μ = (∂G / ∂N)_{T,P} = (∂U / ∂N)_{S,V}
Cherenkov Radiation
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Blue Light Photons (~400 nm)
The characteristic blue optical shockwave radiation emitted when a charged particle travels through a dielectric medium faster than the phase velocity of light in that medium.
cos θ = c / (n v) = 1 / (n β)
Chromatic Aberration
Optics
m
An optical distortion in lenses caused by material dispersion, where different wavelengths of light focus at different spatial positions.
f_blue < f_red (v = c/n(λ))
Circular Motion
Classical Mechanics
m/s, rad/s
The movement of an object along the circumference of a circular path or orbit.
v = ω r, ac = v² / r
Closed Organ Pipes
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics
Hz
An acoustic pipe closed at one end and open at the other, having a displacement node at the closed end and an antinode at the open end.
f_n = n v / (4 L) (n = 1, 3, 5, ...)
Cloud Chamber
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Visual Particle Tracks
A historic particle detector consisting of a sealed chamber containing supersaturated vapor where passing ionizing radiation forms visible condensation trails.
Condensation droplets forming along ion trails