phonon

[foh-non]

noun Physics.

a quantum of sound or vibratory elastic energy, being the analogue of a photon of electromagnetic energy.

Origin of phonon

First recorded in 1930–35; phon- + -on¹

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British Dictionary definitions for phonon

phonon

noun

physics a quantum of vibrational energy in the acoustic vibrations of a crystal lattice

Word Origin for phonon

C20: from phono- + -on

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

phonon in Science

phonon

[fō′nŏn′]

The quantum of acoustic or vibrational energy. Phonons, like all quanta in quantum mechanics, have wavelike and particlelike properties. Phonons propagate through the vibrating material at the speed of sound in that material. Phonons are especially useful in mathematical models for calculating thermal and vibrational properties of solids.