The following definitions are from the Oxford Dictionary of Physics
Absolute Zero-Zero of thermodynamic temperature (0 kelvin) and the lowest temperature theoretically attainable. It is the temperature at which the kinetic energy of atoms and molecules is minimal. It is equivalent to –273.15°C or –459.67°F.
Bosons-A particle such as a photon, a meson, an atomic nucleus of even mass number (e.g. the commonest type of helium nucleus), or the hypothetical graviton which has a zero or integer value of spin. They do not obey the Pauli exclusion principle. Bosons are named after the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose (1894–1974)
Condensate- (In reference to the BEC) A phenomenon occurring in a macroscopic system consisting of a large number of bosons at a sufficiently low temperature, in which a significant fraction of the particles occupy a single quantum state of lowest energy (the ground state). Bose–Einstein condensation can only take place for bosons whose total number is conserved in collisions. Because of the Pauli exclusion principle, it is impossible for two or more fermions to occupy the same quantum state, and so there is no analogous condensation phenomenon for such particles. Bose–Einstein condensation is of fundamental importance in explaining the phenomenon of superfluidity. At very low temperatures (around 2 × 10−7 K) a Bose–Einstein condensate can form, in which several thousand atoms become a single entity (a superatom). This effect has been observed with atoms of rubidium, lithium, and other atomic systems at extremely low temperatures. The effect is named after the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose (1894–1974) and Albert Einstein.
Electromagnetism- Branch of physics dealing with the laws and phenomena that involve the interaction or interdependence of electricity and magnetism.The region in which the effect of an electromagnetic system can be detected is known as an electromagnetic field. When a magnetic field changes, an electric field can always be detected. When an electric field varies, a magnetic field can always be detected. Either type of energy field can be regarded as an electromagnetic field. A particle with an electronic charge is in a magnetic field if it experiences a force only while moving; it is in an electric field if the force is experienced when stationary.
Electromagnetic radiation- The energy that is transmitted through space in the form of electromagnetic waves, which include light, radio waves, X‐rays, and gamma rays.
Energy- Usable power, or the capacity to do work, measured by the capability to do work (potential energy) or the conversion of this capability into motion (kinetic energy).
Frequency- A way light is measured- (Hertz) equals the number of waves that passes a given point per second.
Laser- a device that generates an intense beam of coherent monochromatic light (or other electromagnetic radiation) by stimulated emission of photons from excited atoms or molecules. Lasers are used in drilling and cutting, alignment and guidance, and in surgery; the optical properties are exploited in holography, reading bar codes, and in recording and playing compact discs.
Matter- That which occupies space, possessing size and shape, mass, movability, and solidity (which may be the same as impenetrability). Its nature was historically one of the great subjects of philosophy, now largely pursued through the philosophy of physics. Plato and Aristotle passed on a classification of matter into four kinds (earth, air, water, and fire. In Aristotle there is also a fifth kind of matter (quintessence) found in the celestial world, whose possessors were thereby exempt from change.
Optical Light- The branch of physics that deals with light and vision, chiefly the generation, propagation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths greater than x-rays and shorter than microwaves.
Velocity- Symbol v. The rate of displacement of a body. It is the speed of a body in a specified direction. Velocity is thus a vector quantity, whereas speed is a scalar quantity.
Vacuum- In general, a region completely empty of matter; in physics, any enclosure in which the gas pressure is considerably less than atmospheric pressure (101 325 Pascal’s).
Wavelength- The distance between successive peaks or troughs of a wave. Wavelength is equal to the speed of the wave divided by its frequency, f. For electromagnetic radiation, which travels at c, the speed of light, λ = c/f. Wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation range from hundreds of meters for radio waves to 10−16 m for gamma rays.
Bosons-A particle such as a photon, a meson, an atomic nucleus of even mass number (e.g. the commonest type of helium nucleus), or the hypothetical graviton which has a zero or integer value of spin. They do not obey the Pauli exclusion principle. Bosons are named after the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose (1894–1974)
Condensate- (In reference to the BEC) A phenomenon occurring in a macroscopic system consisting of a large number of bosons at a sufficiently low temperature, in which a significant fraction of the particles occupy a single quantum state of lowest energy (the ground state). Bose–Einstein condensation can only take place for bosons whose total number is conserved in collisions. Because of the Pauli exclusion principle, it is impossible for two or more fermions to occupy the same quantum state, and so there is no analogous condensation phenomenon for such particles. Bose–Einstein condensation is of fundamental importance in explaining the phenomenon of superfluidity. At very low temperatures (around 2 × 10−7 K) a Bose–Einstein condensate can form, in which several thousand atoms become a single entity (a superatom). This effect has been observed with atoms of rubidium, lithium, and other atomic systems at extremely low temperatures. The effect is named after the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose (1894–1974) and Albert Einstein.
Electromagnetism- Branch of physics dealing with the laws and phenomena that involve the interaction or interdependence of electricity and magnetism.The region in which the effect of an electromagnetic system can be detected is known as an electromagnetic field. When a magnetic field changes, an electric field can always be detected. When an electric field varies, a magnetic field can always be detected. Either type of energy field can be regarded as an electromagnetic field. A particle with an electronic charge is in a magnetic field if it experiences a force only while moving; it is in an electric field if the force is experienced when stationary.
Electromagnetic radiation- The energy that is transmitted through space in the form of electromagnetic waves, which include light, radio waves, X‐rays, and gamma rays.
Energy- Usable power, or the capacity to do work, measured by the capability to do work (potential energy) or the conversion of this capability into motion (kinetic energy).
Frequency- A way light is measured- (Hertz) equals the number of waves that passes a given point per second.
Laser- a device that generates an intense beam of coherent monochromatic light (or other electromagnetic radiation) by stimulated emission of photons from excited atoms or molecules. Lasers are used in drilling and cutting, alignment and guidance, and in surgery; the optical properties are exploited in holography, reading bar codes, and in recording and playing compact discs.
Matter- That which occupies space, possessing size and shape, mass, movability, and solidity (which may be the same as impenetrability). Its nature was historically one of the great subjects of philosophy, now largely pursued through the philosophy of physics. Plato and Aristotle passed on a classification of matter into four kinds (earth, air, water, and fire. In Aristotle there is also a fifth kind of matter (quintessence) found in the celestial world, whose possessors were thereby exempt from change.
Optical Light- The branch of physics that deals with light and vision, chiefly the generation, propagation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths greater than x-rays and shorter than microwaves.
Velocity- Symbol v. The rate of displacement of a body. It is the speed of a body in a specified direction. Velocity is thus a vector quantity, whereas speed is a scalar quantity.
Vacuum- In general, a region completely empty of matter; in physics, any enclosure in which the gas pressure is considerably less than atmospheric pressure (101 325 Pascal’s).
Wavelength- The distance between successive peaks or troughs of a wave. Wavelength is equal to the speed of the wave divided by its frequency, f. For electromagnetic radiation, which travels at c, the speed of light, λ = c/f. Wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation range from hundreds of meters for radio waves to 10−16 m for gamma rays.