Category: Index
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Cross Product
Introduction The cross product (also known as the vector product) is an operation on two vectors in three-dimensional space. It results in a vector that is orthogonal (perpendicular) to both of the original vectors, with a magnitude equal to the area of the parallelogram that the vectors span. Basics of the Cross Product Given two…
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Luminosity
Introduction Luminosity is a measure of the total amount of energy emitted by an object per unit of time. It is a fundamental quantity in many fields of science, including astrophysics and particle physics. In the context of astrophysics, luminosity is often used to describe the energy output of stars and galaxies. Luminosity in Astrophysics…
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Larmor Precession
Introduction Larmor precession is a phenomenon observed in quantum mechanics, where the spin (or magnetic moment) of a particle precesses around an external magnetic field. This principle is fundamental to technologies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Basic Principle of Larmor Precession A magnetic moment in an external magnetic field…
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Lamb Shift
Introduction The Lamb Shift, named after physicist Willis Lamb, refers to a slight difference in energy between two levels of the electron in a hydrogen atom, specifically the and states. This phenomenon was not predicted by the Dirac equation but was later explained by developments in quantum electrodynamics (QED). The Dirac Equation and Its Limitations…
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Kuiper Belt
Introduction The Kuiper Belt is a region of our solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune, populated by a multitude of icy bodies known as Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). Named after astronomer Gerard Kuiper, the Kuiper Belt is of significant interest to astronomers due to its status as a preserved remnant of the primordial solar…
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Klein Paradox
Introduction The Klein Paradox, proposed by Swedish physicist Oskar Klein, is a counterintuitive phenomenon in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, particularly in the context of relativistic quantum mechanics described by the Dirac equation. The paradox refers to the penetration of high-energy particles through high potential barriers, contrary to the predictions of non-relativistic quantum mechanics.…
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Josephson Effect
Introduction The Josephson Effect is a quantum mechanical phenomenon involving pairs of superconductors separated by a thin insulating barrier, known as a Josephson junction. This effect, named after the British physicist Brian D. Josephson, who predicted it in 1962, allows for the tunneling of Cooper pairs across the barrier, leading to a supercurrent. Basics of…
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Bremsstrahlung
Introduction Bremsstrahlung, German for “braking radiation,” is the electromagnetic radiation produced when a charged particle, such as an electron, is decelerated or deflected by another charged particle, such as an atomic nucleus. This phenomenon is a fundamental aspect of interactions between charged particles and is prevalent in fields such as nuclear physics, radiation therapy, and…
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Coriolis Effect
Introduction The Coriolis Effect is an apparent deflection of the path of an object moving in a rotating system. Named after French mathematician Gaspard-Gustave de Coriolis who described it in 1835, the effect plays a significant role in many areas of science and engineering, most notably in meteorology and oceanography. Understanding the Coriolis Effect In…
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Shapiro Time Delay
Introduction The Shapiro time delay, also known as the fourth test of general relativity, describes the effect of time delay on light as it passes close to a massive object. Predicted by Irwin Shapiro in 1964, this effect is caused by the curvature of spacetime around the object, resulting in a longer path that the…