microphysics

American  

[mahy-kruh-fiz-iks] / ˌmaɪ krəˈfɪz ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of physics physics dealing with physical objects that are not large enough to be observed and treated directly, as elementary particles, atoms, and molecules.

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microphysics British  

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈfɪzɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of physics concerned with small objects and systems, such as atoms, molecules, nuclei, and elementary particles

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Other Word Forms

• microphysical adjective

Etymology

Origin of microphysics

First recorded in 1880–85; micro- + physics

Example Sentences

“Magnetars, which are neutron stars with extremely strong magnetic fields around them, and objects like active galactic nuclei surrounded by very hot plasma—we can recreate the microphysics of hot plasma in extremely strong fields in the laboratory,” Ms. Willingale said.

From Washington Times

Scientists are still working out precisely why the models are running hot, but some research suggests that part of the answer could be the use of sophisticated new representations of cloud microphysics and tiny particles in the atmosphere called aerosols.

From Scientific American

Cloud thickening and thinning, though taking place on more regional scales, rely altering the microphysics of clouds, long the wild card of climate change projections.

From Science Magazine

Looking to aviation, an appropriate scientific program would include measurements of launch and reentry plumes, detailed modeling of plumes from fresh emissions to steady state global mixing, and laboratory measurements of the microphysics of all the different particle types generated from launch to reentry.

From Scientific American

Very little is known about reentry dust production, the microphysics of the particles and how reentry dust could affect climate and ozone.

From Scientific American