perturbations
Deviations from equilibrium
Perturbations are disturbances or deviations from a normal state.
In physics and astronomy, the term describes small changes in a system's motion caused by outside forces: gravitational perturbations from nearby planets.
More broadly, perturbations are disruptions to stability or composure: The news caused perturbations in the financial markets.
The word often implies something measurable or systematic rather than chaotic.
Irregular change over time
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
- variabilityTendency to change
- unsteadinessLack of firm balance
- imbalanceLack of proportion
disequilibrium · precariousness · uncertainty · unpredictability · fragility · transience · turbulence · chaos
Break in continuity
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- dislocationForced out of position
- disorderAbsence of organization
turbulence · commotion · ripple · shock · jolt · displacement · convulsion · alteration
Repeated back-and-forth movement
- fluctuationIrregular change over time
- deviationDeparture from expected path
- variationChange from a norm
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
displacement · orbital · gravitational · magnetic · quantum · electromagnetic · resonance · harmonic
Persistent apprehensive distress
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- disquietMental unrest or agitation
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
apprehension · distress · worry · unsettling · discomfort · troubled · flustered · rattled
fluctuation
Irregular change over time
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
- variabilityTendency to change
- unsteadinessLack of firm balance
imbalance · disequilibrium · precariousness · uncertainty · unpredictability · fragility · transience · turbulence · chaos · entropy
interruption
Break in continuity
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- dislocationForced out of position
disorder · turbulence · commotion · ripple · shock · jolt · displacement · convulsion · alteration · disarrangement
oscillation
Repeated back-and-forth movement
- fluctuationIrregular change over time
- deviationDeparture from expected path
- variationChange from a norm
anomaly · displacement · orbital · gravitational · magnetic · quantum · electromagnetic · resonance · harmonic · frequency
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
nervousness · apprehension · distress · worry · unsettling · discomfort · troubled · flustered · rattled · disconcerted
- orbital mechanicsorbital mechanics, eccentricity, inclination, apogee, perigee
- dynamical systemsattractors, attractor, chaos theory, equilibria, fixed points
- excitationsquasiparticles, singlet state, energy level, energy levels, quantum states
perturbationsstability
Resistance to displacement
equilibrium · steadiness · constancy · regularity · uniformity
perturbationsstillness
Complete lack of motion
calm · quietude · motionlessness · rest · tranquility
perturbationsimperturbability
State of being unflappable
composure · serenity · tranquility · equanimity · calmness