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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glossary of physics | 9/13 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_physics | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T07:51:11.278375+00:00 | kb-cron |
liquid crystal (LC) A state of matter which has properties between those of a conventional liquid and those of a solid crystal. For instance, an LC may flow like a liquid, but its molecules may be oriented in a crystal-like way.
longitudinal wave
== M ==
M-theory An extension of string theory that attempts to unify seemingly contradictory mathematical formulations and which identifies 11 dimensions.
Mach number A dimensionless quantity representing the ratio of the speed of an object moving through a fluid to the local speed of sound.
Mach's principle The proposition that the existence of absolute rotation (the distinction of local inertial frames vs. rotating reference frames) is determined by the large-scale distribution of matter.
machine Any powered tool consisting of one or more parts that is constructed to achieve a particular goal. Machines are usually powered by mechanical, chemical, thermal, or electrical means, and are frequently motorised.
machine element An elementary component of a machine. There are three basic types: structural components, mechanisms, and control components.
Maclaurin series A representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms that are calculated from the values of the function's derivatives at a single point.
magnetic field A mathematical description of the magnetic influence of electric currents and magnetic materials. The magnetic field at any given point is specified by both a direction and a magnitude (or strength); as such it is a vector field.
magnetism A property of materials that respond to an applied magnetic field.
magnetostatics
mass
mass balance Also material balance. An application of the law of conservation of mass to the analysis of physical systems.
mass density See density.
mass flux The rate of mass flow per unit area. The common symbols are j, J, φ, or Φ, sometimes with subscript m to indicate mass is the flowing quantity. Its SI units are kg s−1 m−2.
mass moment of inertia A property of a distribution of mass in space that measures its resistance to rotational acceleration about an axis.
mass number Also atomic mass number or nucleon number. The total number of protons and neutrons (together known as nucleons) in an atomic nucleus.
mass spectrometry
material properties
materials science An interdisciplinary field incorporating elements of physics, chemistry, and engineering that is concerned with the design and discovery of new materials, particularly solids.
mathematical physics The application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and for the formulation of physical theories.
mathematics The abstract study of topics encompassing quantity, structure, space, change, and other properties.
matrix A rectangular array of numbers, symbols, or expressions arranged in rows and columns. The individual items in a matrix are called its elements or entries.
matter Any substance (often a particle) that has rest mass and (usually) also volume.
Maxwell's equations A set of partial differential equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the foundation of classical electrodynamics, classical optics, and electric circuits. Maxwell's equations describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and altered by each other and by charges and currents.
measure of central tendency A term which relates to the way in which quantitative data tend to cluster around some value. A measure of central tendency is any of a number of ways of specifying this "central value".
mechanical energy
mechanical filter
mechanical equilibrium
mechanical wave
mechanics The branch of science concerned with the behaviour of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment.
melting Also called fusion. A physical process that results in the phase transition of a substance from a solid to a liquid.
meson A type of hadronic subatomic particle composed of one quark and one antiquark bound together by the strong interaction. All mesons are unstable, with the longest-lived lasting for only a few hundredths of a microsecond.
modulus of elasticity The mathematical description of an object's or substance's tendency to be deformed elastically (i.e. non-permanently) when a force is applied to it. The elastic modulus of an object is defined as the slope of its stress–strain curve in the elastic deformation region. As such, a stiffer material will have a higher elastic modulus.
molar concentration
molar mass A physical property of matter defined as the mass of a given substance divided by the amount of substance and expressed in grams per mole.
molecule An electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by having a net electric charge equal to zero.
molecular physics A branch of physics that studies the physical properties of molecules and the chemical bonds between atoms as well as their molecular dynamics. It is closely related to atomic physics and overlaps greatly with theoretical chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical physics.
moment
moment of inertia A property of a distribution of mass in space that measures its resistance to rotational acceleration about an axis.
momentum A vector quantity consisting of the product of the mass and velocity of an object.
monochromatic light
motion Any change in the position of an object over time. Motion can be mathematically described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, speed, acceleration, and momentum, and is observed by attaching a frame of reference to an observer and measuring the change in an object's position relative to that frame. An object's motion cannot change unless it is acted upon by a force.
muon An elementary particle, technically classified as a lepton, that is similar to the electron, with unitary negative electric charge (−1) and a spin of 1⁄2. Muons are not believed to have any sub-structure.
== N ==
nanoengineering The practice of engineering on the nanoscale. Nanoengineering is largely a synonym for nanotechnology, but emphasizes the applied rather the field.