microphysics
Small-scale physical phenomena
Microphysics is the branch of physics dealing with phenomena at extremely small scales—atoms, subatomic particles, and quantum mechanics.
The term distinguishes this realm from macrophysics, which concerns everyday-scale objects and classical mechanics.
In atmospheric science, cloud microphysics studies the formation and behavior of water droplets and ice crystals.
Quantum state's mathematical representation
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- entanglementState of being intertwined
- quantizationConversion to discrete values
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
decoherence · tunneling · observable · eigenstate · Heisenberg · commutator · collapse
Fundamental matter particle
- leptonFundamental particle without strong interactions
- bosonInteger-spin subatomic particle
- fermionHalf-integer spin particle
- gluonStrong force mediator
hadron · meson · baryon · muon · tau · neutrino · positron · antiparticle
Central controlling part
- electronNegative subatomic particle
- protonPositive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- orbitalRevolving around another
isotope · ion · valence · shell · radioactivity · gamma-ray · ionization
Dual-beam particle accelerator
- detectorDevice that senses
- CERNEuropean nuclear research organization
- synchrotronCircular charged-particle accelerator
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
scattering · cross-section · beam · luminosity · calorimeter · spectrometer · signal · calibration
Invariance under transformation
- supersymmetryBosons mirror fermions theoretically
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- propagatorOne who spreads further
Atomic electron attraction strength
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- nonpolarElectrically balanced molecule type
- hybridizationMixing distinct genetic lines
wavefunction
Quantum state's mathematical representation
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- entanglementState of being intertwined
- quantizationConversion to discrete values
coherence · decoherence · tunneling · observable · eigenstate · Heisenberg · commutator · collapse
quark
Fundamental matter particle
- leptonFundamental particle without strong interactions
- bosonInteger-spin subatomic particle
- fermionHalf-integer spin particle
gluon · hadron · meson · baryon · muon · tau · neutrino · positron · antiparticle · charm
nucleus
Central controlling part
orbital · isotope · ion · valence · shell · radioactivity · gamma-ray · ionization
collider
Dual-beam particle accelerator
- detectorDevice that senses
- CERNEuropean nuclear research organization
- synchrotronCircular charged-particle accelerator
cyclotron · scattering · cross-section · beam · luminosity · calorimeter · spectrometer · signal · calibration
symmetry
Invariance under transformation
- supersymmetryBosons mirror fermions theoretically
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- propagatorOne who spreads further
electronegativity
Atomic electron attraction strength
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- nonpolarElectrically balanced molecule type
hybridization · resonance · intermolecular · intramolecular · spectroscopy
microphysicsclassical physics
Pre-twentieth-century natural science
classical mechanics · Newtonian mechanics · Newtonian physics · thermodynamics
physics, micro, microscopic, micrometer, astrophysics, microscopy, geophysics, biophysics, microscopically