decomposition
Breaking into parts
Decomposition is the process of breaking down into component parts or simpler substances.
Organic matter decomposes after death—bacteria and fungi reduce dead plants and animals to basic elements: The body was in an advanced state of decomposition.
In chemistry and mathematics, decomposition means separating a compound or problem into constituents.
The verb is decompose.
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
carrion · cadaver · carcass · detritus · mulch · manure · vermicomposting · microorganisms
Failure or decomposition
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- parsingGrammatical structure extraction
- segmentationDivision into sections
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
components · elements · parts · constituents · subunits · modules · layers · hierarchy
Water-induced bond cleavage
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- reductionMaking something smaller
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
fermentation · catabolism · photolysis · thermolysis · pyrolysis · electrolysis · reactants · products
Breaking into smaller pieces
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- erosionGradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
corrosion · fracturing · splintering · pulverization · shattering · wear · abrasion · flaking
Decomposing into multiplicative parts
- matricesRectangular numerical arrangements
- vectorsDirected magnitude quantities
- eigenvaluesTransformation scaling constants
- eigenvectorsVectors scaled by matrices
algorithms · components · polynomials · fractions · QR · spectral · orthogonal · simplification
Science of heat-energy relationships
- disorderAbsence of organization
- randomnessLack of predictable pattern
- equilibriumState of balance
- irreversibilityState of being permanent
decay
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
humus · carrion · cadaver · carcass · detritus · mulch · manure · vermicomposting · microorganisms · bacteria
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- parsingGrammatical structure extraction
- segmentationDivision into sections
dissection · components · elements · parts · constituents · subunits · modules · layers · hierarchy · structure
hydrolysis
Water-induced bond cleavage
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- reductionMaking something smaller
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
enzymes · fermentation · catabolism · photolysis · thermolysis · pyrolysis · electrolysis · reactants · products · bonds
fragmentation
Breaking into smaller pieces
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- erosionGradual wearing away
weathering · corrosion · fracturing · splintering · pulverization · shattering · wear · abrasion · flaking · peeling
factorization
Decomposing into multiplicative parts
- matricesRectangular numerical arrangements
- vectorsDirected magnitude quantities
- eigenvaluesTransformation scaling constants
eigenvectors · algorithms · components · polynomials · fractions · QR · spectral · orthogonal · simplification · reduction
thermodynamics
Science of heat-energy relationships
- disorderAbsence of organization
- randomnessLack of predictable pattern
- equilibriumState of balance
irreversibility · microstates · probability · chaos · degradation
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- decompositionrot, rotting, autolysis, putrefaction, biodegradation
- soil sciencesoil, topsoil, subsoil, clay, sand
- phosphorus cyclephosphate, mineralization, weathering, uptake, sedimentation
- soil biologysoil bacteria, soil fungi, soil organisms, decomposers, mycorrhizae
- problem-solvingproblem solving, puzzles, riddles, logic, solutions
decompositionpreservation
Maintaining something's condition
conservation · mummification · maintenance · embalming · fossilization
decompositioncomposition
Arranged elements forming whole
combination · synthesis · unification · assembly · integration
decompositionsynthesis
Combining parts into whole
construction · formation · creation · biosynthesis · polymerization
- chemical decompositionSeparation into simpler substances
- LU decompositionMatrix split into triangular factors
- QR decompositionMatrix as orthogonal-triangular product
- organic decompositionBiological breakdown of matter