Neutrino Oscillation
Neutrino oscillation is a quantum phenomenon where neutrinos change their flavor as they travel through space.
Physics and Mathematics
54 glossary terms
Physics and mathematics are the languages scientists use to describe the structure of reality. The terms here range from the familiar (prime numbers, Planck length) to concepts that still unsettle physicists a century after they were proposed, such as wave-particle duality and quantum entanglement. Mathematics runs alongside, not because physics cannot stand without it, but because so many physical ideas become precise only when expressed in the shorthand of equations. This glossary covers the quiet workhorses of classical physics, the strangeness of quantum mechanics, and the mathematical structures that let theorists probe phenomena no instrument can yet reach.
Wave-Particle Duality
Wave-particle duality is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics, demonstrating that particles such as light and electrons can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like characteristics depending on the experimental context.
Quark-Gluon Plasma
A quark-gluon plasma is a high-energy state of matter where quarks and gluons, the building blocks of protons and neutrons, exist freely, providing insights into the early universe and the fundamental strong force.
Photovoltaic Cell Technology
A photovoltaic cell, or solar cell, converts light energy into electrical energy via the photovoltaic effect, playing a crucial role in solar energy systems by utilizing semiconductor materials like silicon.