Category: Index
-
Waveguide
Introduction A waveguide is a physical structure that is used to control and direct electromagnetic waves. They are commonly used in microwave communications, broadcasting, and radar installations. Basic Definition A waveguide is typically a hollow metal tube or dielectric slab that confines electromagnetic waves to travel in a direction defined by its physical boundaries. The…
-
Weak Nuclear Force
Introduction The weak nuclear force, also known as the weak interaction or weak force, is one of the four fundamental forces in nature, alongside gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong nuclear force. It’s responsible for certain types of radioactive decay, such as beta decay, and plays a critical role in nuclear fission. Basic Properties of Weak…
-
X-Ray Diffraction
Introduction X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful technique used for the study of crystalline materials. By analyzing the way in which a beam of X-rays diffracts off a crystalline sample, one can determine the atomic and molecular structure of the material, including bond lengths and angles, atomic positions, and overall symmetry. The Principle of XRD…
-
X-Ray Spectroscopy
Introduction X-ray spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique that uses the interaction of X-ray photons with matter to determine the chemical composition of a sample. It has wide applications in materials science, chemistry, physics, geology, and other fields. Basics of X-ray Spectroscopy X-ray spectroscopy involves the emission, transmission, or scattering of X-rays by an object.…
-
X-Ray Fluorescence
Introduction X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a material. It is a type of emission spectroscopy that uses the inherent properties of atoms to identify and quantify the presence of different elements. The Principle of XRF When a material is exposed to an incident beam of X-rays,…
-
Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
Introduction Young’s double-slit experiment is a famous experiment in physics that demonstrates the wave nature of light and forms the basis of the concept of interference. It was first performed by the British scientist Thomas Young in 1801. The Experiment In Young’s double-slit experiment, a beam of light is shone through two closely-spaced slits onto…
-
Young’s Modulus
Introduction Young’s modulus, also known as the modulus of elasticity, is a measure of the stiffness of a solid material. Named after the British scientist Thomas Young, it quantifies the relationship between stress (force per unit area) and strain (proportional deformation) in a material. Defining Young’s Modulus Young’s modulus is defined as the ratio of…
-
Yukawa Potential
Introduction The Yukawa potential, also known as the screened Coulomb potential, is a mathematical function used to describe the potential energy of a particle interaction mediated by a massive force carrier. It was first introduced by Hideki Yukawa in 1935 to describe the nuclear force between nucleons (protons and neutrons) within the atomic nucleus. The…
-
Zero-Point Energy
Introduction Zero-Point Energy (ZPE) is an important concept in quantum mechanics that refers to the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical physical system may have. Unlike classical systems, quantum systems are subject to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which states that we cannot precisely know both the position and momentum of a particle. Therefore, even…
-
Zeeman Effect
Introduction The Zeeman Effect, named after the Dutch physicist Pieter Zeeman, is the splitting of a spectral line into several components in the presence of a static magnetic field. It is a key phenomenon in atomic physics and quantum mechanics that illustrates the interaction between magnetic fields and the magnetic moments of atoms. Understanding the…