photoelasticity

American  

[foh-toh-i-la-stis-i-tee, -ee-la-stis-] / ˌfoʊ toʊ ɪ læˈstɪs ɪ ti, -ˌi læˈstɪs- /

noun

Physics.

1. the phenomenon of double refraction of polarized light by a transparent substance under elastic stress, used to measure strain in elastic, transparent materials.

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photoelasticity British  

/ ˌfəʊtəʊɪlæˈstɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the effects of stress, such as double refraction, on the optical properties of transparent materials

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• photoelastic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of photoelasticity

First recorded in 1910–15; photo- + elasticity