PHYSICS DICTIONARY

 A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z


 <Prev>                   <Next>

Standard Model

All the particles and their interactions observed to date can be described by a quantum field theory called the Standard Model. The Standard Model has 40 species of elementary particles (24 Fermions, 12 vector Bosons, and 4 scalars), which can combine to form composite particles, accounting for the hundreds of other species of particles discovered since the 1960s.

Star

A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by its own gravity. A star is so massive that its core is extremely dense and hot. At the high core temperatures of a star, atoms move so fast that they sometimes stick to other atoms when they collide with them, forming more massive atoms and releasing a great amount of energy. This process is known as nuclear fusion. A star usually consists of Hydrogen and Helium.

Stark Effect

The splitting of atomic spectral lines as a result of an externally applied electric field was discovered by Stark, and is called the Stark effect. It is analogue effect of Zeeman Effect. The Stark effect has been of benefit in the analysis of atomic spectra, and a major tool for molecular rotational spectra.

State Function

If the change in a property of a system depends only on initial and final states and not on path of process carried out in going from initial to final state, then the property is said to be state function of system.

States of Matter      

States of matter in physics are the distinct forms that different phases of matter take on.

Static Electricity

It is electric charge that has accumulated on an object. Static electricity is often created when two objects that are not good electrical conductors are rubbed together, and electrons from one of the objects rub off onto the other. 

Static Friction

The friction that acts due to tendency of relative motion between two surfaces in contact is called static friction.

Stationary Waves

When two simple harmonic waves of same amplitude, frequency and time period travel in opposite directions in a straight line, the resultant wave obtained is called stationary or a standing wave. In a stationary wave, nodes and antinodes are formed alternatively. All particles except at nodes vibrate simple harmonically with the time period equal to that of each component wave.

Statistical Equilibrium

An ensemble is said to be in statistical equilibrium if the probabilities of finding the phase points in the various regions of phase space and the average values of properties of its systems are “independent of time”.

Statistical Mechanics

It is the branch of science which establishes the interpretation of macroscopic behavior of system in terms of its microscopic properties. It doesn’t deal with motion of each particle but it takes into account the average or most probable properties of system without going into interior details of characteristics of its constituents. The larger is the number of particles in physical system considered, the more nearly correct are statistical predictions. 

Steady State Diffusion

The diffusion condition for which there is no net accumulation or depletion of diffusing species. The diffusion flux is independent of time.

Stefan – Boltzmann’s Law

 Loss of heat per second from unit surface area of a black body at an absolute temperature ‘T’ surrounded by atmosphere at an absolute temperature ‘To’, is directly proportional to difference in fourth power of absolute temperature of that body and surrounding atmosphere.

(or)

Total amount of radiant energy emitted by a black body per second per unit area is directly proportional to fourth power of its absolute temperature. E α T4; E = σ T4; σ is Stefan’s constant.

Stefan’s Law

The radiant energy emitted per second per unit area by a perfectly black body is directly proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature of the body.

Step-Down Transformer

Transformer in which secondary voltage is less than its primary voltage.

Step-Up Transformer

Transformer in which secondary voltage is greater than its primary voltage.

Stern – Gerlach Experiment

In 1921, an experiment conducted by Otto stern and Walter Gerlach has shown that each electron, in addition to its orbital angular momentum L, possess an intrinsic angular momentum referred to as spin ‘S’. The Stern-Gerlach experiment has proved spatial quantization by showing that electron spin in quantized into two states and provided a major impetus for development of quantum theory of atom.

Stethoscope

A medical instrument for listening to the sounds made with in body, typically consisting of a disc that transmits the sound through hollow tubes to ear pieces. 

No comments:

Post a Comment