Zeeman effect
The Zeeman effect, is a fundamental phenomenon in physics, named after the Dutch physicist Pieter Zeeman, who discovered it in 1896. This effect describes the splitting of spectral lines into multiple components in the presence of a magnetic field.
When an atom or molecule is subjected to a magnetic field, the energy levels of its electrons, which normally have degenerate (equal) energies, split into multiple levels with different energies. This splitting occurs because the magnetic field interacts with the intrinsic magnetic moment of the electrons.
The Zeeman effect is observed in spectroscopy and is essential for understanding the behavior of atoms and molecules in magnetic fields. It has applications in various fields, including atomic physics, astrophysics, and quantum mechanics.
Stark effect
The Stark effect, like the Zeeman effect, is a phenomenon in physics named after Johannes Stark, who discovered it in 1913. It’s a shift in the energy levels of atoms and molecules due to the presence of an electric field. Essentially, when an atom or molecule is subjected to an external electric field, the energy levels of its electrons change.
The Stark effect is particularly significant in spectroscopy, where it’s used to study the behavior of atoms and molecules in electric fields. This effect has applications in various fields, including quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and laser physics.
In essence, the Stark effect provides valuable insights into how electric fields interact with matter at the atomic and molecular levels, deepening our understanding of fundamental physical principles.
Casimir effect
The Casimir effect is a quantum mechanical force that occurs between two closely spaced uncharged conducting plates. The force is caused by the quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. The Casimir effect in curved spacetime is a version of the Casimir effect that applies to objects in curved spacetime. The Casimir effect in curved spacetime has been used to study the properties of black holes.
Compton effect
The Compton effect is the scattering of photons by electrons. The scattering is caused by the interaction of the photon’s energy with the electron’s electric field. The Compton effect was first observed by Arthur Compton in 1923, and it has since been used to study the properties of photons and electrons.
Lifshitz force
The Lifshitz force is a force that arises between two neutral atoms or molecules. The force is caused by the quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. The Lifshitz force is a more general version of the Casimir–Polder force that applies to objects with arbitrary shape and material properties.
Aharonov–Bohm effect
The Aharonov–Bohm effect is a quantum mechanical effect in which the phase of an electron wave is affected by a magnetic field even if the electron does not pass through the field. The Aharonov–Bohm effect is a consequence of the wave nature of electrons and the fact that magnetic fields can induce electric fields.
Mössbauer effect
The Mössbauer effect is a spectroscopic technique based on the resonant and recoil-free emission and absorption of gamma radiation by atomic nuclei bound in a solid. It is named after Rudolf Mössbauer, who discovered it in 1957.
The Mössbauer effect occurs because there is a finite probability of a nuclear decay occurring involving no phonons. Thus in a fraction of the nuclear events (the recoil-free fraction, given by the Lamb–Mössbauer factor), the entire crystal acts as the recoiling body, and these events are essentially recoil-free. In these cases, since the recoil energy is negligible, the emitted gamma rays have the appropriate energy and resonance can occur.
The Mössbauer effect is a very powerful tool for studying the properties of materials, including their chemical composition, structure, and dynamics. It is also used in a variety of applications, such as nuclear medicine, materials science, and environmental science.
Triboelectric charging
Triboelectric charging is the electrostatic forces between bodies that build up because of friction in space. It is a common phenomenon that occurs when two materials are rubbed together. When two materials are rubbed together, electrons are transferred from one material to the other. This transfer of electrons creates an imbalance of charge, which results in an electrostatic force between the two materials. Triboelectric charging can be a problem in space because it can build up to high levels and cause spacecraft to become charged. This can interfere with the operation of spacecraft electronics and can also create a hazard for astronauts.
The Allais effect
The alleged anomalous behavior of pendulums or gravimeters during a solar eclipse. The phenomenon was first reported in 1954 by Maurice Allais, a French polymath who later won the Nobel Prize in Economics. Allais observed an unusual precession of the plane of oscillation of a Foucault pendulum during the solar eclipse of June 30, 1954. He reported another observation of the effect during the solar eclipse of October 2, 1959 using the paraconical pendulum he invented.
Pioneer anomaly
The Pioneer anomaly is a discrepancy between the observed and predicted trajectories of the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft. The discrepancy is small, but it is statistically significant. There are a number of possible explanations for the Pioneer anomaly, including one that involves the Z0 field.