(c) Dr Paul Kinsler. [Acknowledgements & Feedback]
This is part of an information maze -- see the index-file for the full picture.
We can think of an ideal particle as an infinitesimally small dot that can move through space (or rather spacetime). It may have many possible properties, depending on what sort of particle it is - mass, energy, speed, electric-charge, and so on. What makes it a particle is that it is always in exactly one place, and is not spread out like a wave, or in several places at once.
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a particle_
MATHS: The simplest mathematical function that can be used to describe a particle is the Dirac delta-function.
XINDEX: weak-force, wave, wave-packet, wave-function, uncertainty-principle, uncertainty-principle, spin, spacetime, quantum-mechanic, quantum-wire, quantum-well, quantum-confine, proton, polariton, photon, phonon, neutron, magnetic-field, light, index-file, hole, electron, electro-magnetic-field, electricity, electric-field, electric-charge, carrier, index-file.
20011228 1206 28 19961112 (c) Paul Kinsler
XKEYWORD: particle
Email Feedback: Dr.Paul.Kinsler@physics.org
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