
-
a
- absolute constant
An absolute constant is a number that has the same value wherever it appears. Examples:
π (pi) has the value 3.14159…(...) Read More
- absolute space
(Absolute space has recently been re-conceptualized and re-named as space that has "background-independence.")
The(...) Read More
- absolute square of a complex number
The absolute square of a complex number is calculated by multiplying it by its conjugate. (The absolute square is not the(...) Read More
- absolute time
The concept of absolute time was a foundational concept of physics as articulated by Isaac Newton in the 1600’s. It was(...) Read More
- acausal
“Acausal” means not having a cause. In classical physics all events are believed to have a cause; none are acausal. In(...) Read More
- acceleration
Abbreviation: a
In physics, acceleration is speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction. Acceleration contrasts(...) Read More
- action-at-a-distance
Action-at-a-distance is the creation of an effect without physically touching. An example is magnetism: a magnet pulls(...) Read More
- algebraic constant
An algebraic constant is a symbol that represents an unchanging number or is simply a number in an algebra equation. The(...) Read More
- alpha
In quantum physics, the ancient Greek letter α, alpha, represents an important constant of nature. Alpha is .00729735256…(...) Read More
- amplitude of a wave
The amplitude of a wave is its height, that is, half the distance from trough to crest. Amplitude can be measured for water(...) Read More
- ancient physics
Ancient physics was the physics of the ancient world, that is, of the Egyptians, Greeks, Indians (of India), and other(...) Read More
- angular momentum
(Symbol is L. Also called “rotational momentum” or “moment of momentum.”) Angular momentum is the momentum or oomph which an(...) Read More
- anomaly
An anomaly is an experimental result or an observation that doesn’t fit current scientific theories.
Sometimes anomalies(...) Read More
- antimatter
Antimatter is not just the stuff of science fiction. It is as real as ordinary matter. Physicists call the matter that we(...) Read More
- antiparticle
An antiparticle is an antimatter version of a normal particle. For example, an antiquark is an antimatter quark. An(...) Read More
- atom
An atom is the tiniest component of an element which shares in the element’s properties. Break down matter any further and(...) Read More
- atomic number
The atomic number of an atom is the number of protons in its nucleus. For example, an atom of carbon has six protons and has(...) Read More
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b
- B
B is the symbol that represents the strength and direction, in any particular location, of the magnetic field due to the(...) Read More
- bare number
For “bare number,” see “dimensionless number.” Read More
- baryon
Baryons are a category of subatomic particles in the nucleus of the atom. Protons and neutrons are examples of baryons.(...) Read More
- baryonic matter
All the matter that we ordinarily deal with in everyday life is baryonic matter. Baryonic matter is composed of atoms which(...) Read More
- Bohmian Interpretation of quantum mechanics
The Bohmian Interpretation is sometimes called the "Pilot Wave" or "Guiding Wave" Interpretation. It explains wave-particle(...) Read More
- Bohmian Mechanics
Bohmian Mechanics is an alternative name given to the Bohmian Interpretation of quantum mechanics. It is called “Bohmian(...) Read More
- Bohr atom
[Animation by Kurzonddddd (Own work); CC BY-SA 3.0(...) Read More
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c
- Causal Interpretation of quantum mechanics
This interpretation of quantum mechanics is also called the "Bohmian Interpretation." It was originally proposed by(...) Read More
- closed system
See system. Read More
- collapse of the wave function
Collapse of the wave function is the transformation from a spread-out wave function to a localized particle. To understand(...) Read More
- collapse of the wavefunction
See article collapse of the wave function.
- complementary properties
Complementary properties are pairs of properties to which the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle applies. The Heisenberg(...) Read More
- complex number
This is an example of a complex number: 3 + 4i. It means take 3 and add 4 times i. The letter i is the symbol for the square(...) Read More