Charge carriers
Charge carriers are particles that carry an electric charge and are responsible for the conduction of electric current in a material. There are primarily two types of charge carriers: 1. **Electrons**: Negatively charged particles that can move freely in conductive materials (such as metals) to create an electric current. 2. **Holes**: These are the absence of electrons in a semiconductor material and can be considered as positively charged carriers.
Electrical breakdown
Electrical breakdown refers to the phenomenon that occurs when an insulating material becomes conductive due to the application of a sufficient electric field. When the electric field strength exceeds a critical threshold, electrons are stripped from their atoms within the insulating material, leading to a sudden increase in conductivity and the formation of a plasma or a conducting path through the material. This can result in an uncontrolled flow of electricity, often leading to catastrophic failure of electrical devices, arcing, or damage to the insulating material.
Hall effect
The Hall effect is a phenomenon observed in electrical conductors and semiconductors when they are placed in a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of an electric current. It was discovered by Edwin Hall in 1879. When a current-carrying conductor is subjected to a magnetic field, the motion of the charged particles (such as electrons) in the conductor is affected by the magnetic field.
Piezoelectric materials
Piezoelectric materials are substances that exhibit the piezoelectric effect, which is the ability to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. This phenomenon occurs in certain materials when they undergo deformation, causing a separation of positive and negative charges within the material, thus creating an electric field. Key features of piezoelectric materials include: 1. **Types of Materials**: Common piezoelectric materials include certain crystals (e.g., quartz, topaz), ceramics (e.g.
Aeronomy
Aeronomy is the study of the Earth's upper atmosphere, particularly the regions where the atmosphere begins to interact with outer space. This field encompasses research into the physical and chemical processes that influence the behavior and composition of the atmosphere at high altitudes, typically above 30 to 50 kilometers (19 to 31 miles), where phenomena like the ionosphere and various layers of the atmosphere, including the thermosphere and exosphere, are located.
Antiferroelectricity
Antiferroelectricity is a material property observed in certain crystalline substances where the electric dipoles in neighboring units align in opposite directions, resulting in a state that does not have a net polarization. In antiferroelectric materials, the dipolar moments cancel each other out, unlike ferroelectric materials where the dipoles align in the same direction, resulting in a net spontaneous polarization.
Burns temperature
Burns temperature, also known as the "Burns temperature," refers to a specific temperature, often used in the context of engineering and materials science, that indicates the onset of chemical reactions or degradation of materials, particularly polymers or organic compounds. It is critical in various applications, including fire safety, material selection, and understanding combustion processes.
Compact intracloud discharge
Compact intracloud discharge (CID) refers to a type of electrical discharge that occurs within a thunderstorm cloud, specifically between different regions of the cloud itself, rather than between the cloud and the ground or between separate clouds. These discharges are often shorter and more compact than typical cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. CIDs are characterized by their localized nature and can occur within the complex structure of the cloud, which consists of various charged regions.
Conductor clashing
"Conductor clashing" typically refers to a situation in orchestral or musical contexts where two conductors have conflicting interpretations or approaches to a piece of music. This can happen during rehearsals or performances when different conductors have differing opinions on tempo, dynamics, interpretation, or cues, potentially leading to confusion among musicians. In a broader sense, conductor clashing can also describe any scenario where two leaders or authority figures in an organization or group conflict in their direction, creating disarray and inefficiency.
Dawn chorus (electromagnetic)
The term "dawn chorus" commonly refers to the natural phenomenon observed in the early morning, particularly at sunrise, when various bird species sing collectively as they begin their day. However, in the context of electromagnetic phenomena, "dawn chorus" refers to a specific type of electromagnetic wave activity that occurs in Earth's magnetosphere. The electromagnetic dawn chorus is characterized by a series of rising and falling frequency sounds produced by plasma waves in the Earth's magnetosphere.
Dember effect
The Dember effect refers to a phenomenon observed in psychophysics, particularly in the study of perception and attention. Named after the psychologist William Dember, this effect describes how the presence of a secondary task or stimulus can influence the performance on a primary task, often enhancing or impairing it.
Dielectric barrier discharge
Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) is a type of electrical discharge that occurs when a high-voltage electric field is applied across two electrodes separated by a dielectric (insulating) material. This technology has various applications in fields such as plasma generation, surface treatment, and environmental engineering. Here’s a detailed breakdown of DBD: 1. **Mechanism**: - In a DBD setup, at least one of the electrodes is covered by a dielectric material.
Einstein–Hopf drag
Einstein–Hopf drag, also known simply as "Hopf drag," refers to a phenomenon in theoretical physics that arises in the context of general relativity and the motion of rotating masses. The term is often associated with the effects that a rotating mass has on the inertial frames of reference around it, particularly in relation to the way the rotation influences the motion of nearby objects.
Electret
An electret is a dielectric material that has a quasi-permanent electric charge or dipole polarization. It behaves similarly to a permanent magnet, but for electric fields instead of magnetic fields. Electrets are typically made from polymers or ceramics that are electrically polarized during their manufacturing process. Electrets can be used in various applications, including: 1. **Microphones**: Electret condenser microphones utilize electrets to maintain a steady electric field, which helps convert sound waves into electrical signals.
Electric discharge
Electric discharge refers to the flow of electric current through a medium, typically resulting from the breakdown of an insulating material or the movement of charge carriers in a conductive path. This phenomenon can occur in various forms and contexts, such as: 1. **Spark Discharge**: A quick, localized discharge of electricity that occurs when a high voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of the surrounding medium (such as air), resulting in a visible spark.
Electroluminescence
Electroluminescence is the phenomenon where a material emits light in response to an electric current or a strong electric field. This process occurs in certain materials, typically semiconductors, which are capable of producing light when they are energized by electricity. In simple terms, when an electric voltage is applied to these materials, electrons within the semiconductor become excited and move to higher energy levels.
Electroluminescent display
An electroluminescent display (EL display) is a type of flat panel display technology that produces light through the process of electroluminescence. In an electroluminescent material, when an electric current is applied, it emits light as a result of the recombination of electrons and holes in a semiconductor material.
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, and it exhibits remarkable electronic properties that make it a subject of extensive research and potential applications in various fields, including electronics, materials science, and nanotechnology. Here are some key aspects of the electronic properties of graphene: 1. **High Electrical Conductivity**: Graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity.
Ferranti effect
The Ferranti effect is a phenomenon observed in electrical power systems, particularly in long transmission lines. It refers to the situation where the voltage at the receiving end of a long transmission line is higher than the voltage at the sending end. This can occur due to the capacitive nature of long transmission lines, especially when they are lightly loaded or operating at a high power factor.
Ferroelectret
Ferroelectrets are a type of dielectric material that exhibit piezoelectric properties, similar to ferroelectric materials, but are typically in the form of polymer foams or films. The key characteristic of ferroelectrets is that they possess a regular structure of trapped charges or dipoles within their matrix, which can give rise to a polarization effect when an external electric field is applied.