dissipative
Losing energy gradually
Dissipative describes systems or processes that lose energy, typically by converting it into heat that disperses into the surroundings.
In physics and engineering, a dissipative system cannot sustain itself indefinitely without external energy input—friction and electrical resistance are classic dissipative forces.
The dissipative effects of air resistance slow the pendulum over time.
The term appears frequently in thermodynamics and chaos theory, where dissipative structures maintain order by continuously exchanging energy with their environment.
Quantified chaos in systems
- irreversibilityState of being permanent
- heatTransferred thermal energy
- energy transferPower moving between systems
- second lawEntropy inevitably rises
friction · damping · resistance · losses · attenuation · thermal equilibrium · heat engine · enthalpy
Spontaneous internal structure emergence
- emergenceComing into existence
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
attractors · chaos · complexity · nonlinearity · fluctuations · dynamics · feedback · morphogenesis
Passive molecular spreading
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
- spreadingExtending over space
- dispersionScattering across space
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
permeation · distribution · dilution · dissolving · dissemination · propagation · transmission · dispersal
Decline in condition
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- wastingUsing poorly, inefficiently
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
breakdown · fading · depletion · exhaustion · leakage · loss · weakening · diminishing
entropy
Quantified chaos in systems
- irreversibilityState of being permanent
- heatTransferred thermal energy
- energy transferPower moving between systems
second law · friction · damping · resistance · losses · attenuation · thermal equilibrium · heat engine · enthalpy · heat capacity
self-organization
Spontaneous internal structure emergence
- emergenceComing into existence
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change
bifurcation · attractors · chaos · complexity · nonlinearity · fluctuations · dynamics · feedback · morphogenesis · spontaneous order
diffusion
Passive molecular spreading
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
- spreadingExtending over space
- dispersionScattering across space
radiation · permeation · distribution · dilution · dissolving · dissemination · propagation · transmission · dispersal · outflow
degradation
Decline in condition
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- wastingUsing poorly, inefficiently
disintegration · breakdown · fading · depletion · exhaustion · leakage · loss · weakening · diminishing · erosion
dissipativeconservative
Cautious about altering customs
lossless · reversible · frictionless · elastic · closed
dissipativefrugal
Sparing with resources
conserving · thrifty · accumulative · hoarding · economical
- heat dissipationTransfer of warmth outward