PHYSICS DICTIONARY

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Planet

The term "Planet" is derived from the Greek word "Planetes" - meaning wanderer. Astronomers of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted on and passed the first scientific definition of a planet in August 2006. According to this new definition, an object must meet three criteria in order to be classified as a planet. First, it must orbit the Sun. Second, it must be big enough for gravity to squash it into a round ball. And third, it must have cleared other objects out of the way in its orbital neighborhood. To clear an orbit, a planet must be big enough to pull neighboring objects into the planet itself or sling-shot them around the planet and shoot them off into outer space. 

Planck’s Law

Planck in 1900 propounded quantum theory to explain black body radiation successfully. According to Planck, the emission and absorption of radiation is not continuous, but is in form of bundles or packets of definite energy. Each bundle or packet is called quanta. Each photon has definite energy and definite momentum whose value is proportional to the frequency of radiation.

Plancks Constant

It is universal constant, named after its Planck who proposed quantum theory. As per the theory, energy of photon is proportional to frequency of radiation. The proportionality constant is named as planks constant. The value is 6.67x10-34 joule second.

Plasma

Phase of matter that has enough energy for electrons to get separated from nucleus. It consists of independently moving electrons and nuclei. It is conductive and reacts strongly to electric and magnetic fields.

Plastic Deformation

It is deformed state of a substance where the stress is no longer proportional to strain and permanently non recoverable. From atomic perspective, plastic deformation corresponds to breaking of bonds with original atom neighbors and then reforming bonds with new neighbors as large number of atoms more relative to each other.

Plasticity

The property of a solid body whereby it undergoes a permanent change in shape or size even after removal of deforming forces when subjected to a stress exceeding particular value, called yield value.

Plutonium

It is second Transuranic element of the actinide series to be discovered. Pu239, isotope of Plutonium has a half life of 24,100 years. It is formed in reactor pile by bombardment of U238 with neutrons. It is fissionable upon incidence of neutrons.

Pneumatics

It is concept in applied physics which deals with study of application of pressurized air or gases to do mechanical work.

Point Defect

The departure from periodic arrangement around the vicinity of a lattice point is termed as point defect. Two types of point defects normally found in crystalline ionic substances are i) Schottky defect ii) Frenkel defect

Point Group

Collection of symmetry operations which when applied about a lattice point leaves the lattice invariant. The group of such a set of symmetry operations is called a point group.

Poise

A unit of coefficient of viscosity, defined as the tangential force per unit area required to maintain unit difference in velocity between two parallel planes separated by 1cm of fluid.

Polar coordinates

Two coordinates used for locating a point in a plane by the length of its radius vector and the angle this vector makes with polar axis.

Polar dielectric

Dielectrics which have non symmetrical structure having permanent dipole moment.

Polar molecule

A molecule in which there exists a permanent electric dipole moment by virtue of the asymmetrical distribution of positively and negatively charged regions.

Polariscope

An optical device used to measure rotation of plane vibration of polarized light.

or

A instrument used for detecting polarized light or examining objects under polarized light especially for detecting stress or strain in transparent materials.      

Polarimeter

The device which measures the angle by which plane of polarization of the incident plane polarized light is rotated by a given optically active substance is called as polarimeter.

Polarization (Electromagnetic Wave)

The property of acquiring one sidedness by a wave is known as polarization. The wave unsymmetrical about a direction is called polarized wave while symmetrical is called as unpolarized wave. The polarization is the phenomenon which shows that electromagnetic waves are transverse in nature.


Polarization (Ionic)

Displacement of anions & cations in opposite direction. 

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