superposition

[soo-per-puh-zish-uhn]

noun

Geology.

1. the order in which sedimentary strata are superposed one above another.

superposition

/ ˌsuːpəpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of superposing or state of being superposed

2. geology the principle that in any sequence of sedimentary rocks which has not been disturbed, the oldest strata lie at the bottom and the youngest at the top

superposition

1. The principle that in a group of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest were the earliest to be deposited.

2. The principle by which the description of the state of a physical system can be broken down into descriptions that are themselves possible states of the system. For example, harmonic motion, as of a violin string, can be analyzed as the sum of harmonic frequencies or harmonics, each of which is itself a kind of harmonic motion; harmonic motion is therefore a superposition of individual harmonics.

3. The combination of two or more physical states, such as waves, to form a new physical state in accordance with this principle.

4. See also wave See Note at Schrödinger

Word History and Origins

Origin of superposition¹

1790–1800; < French superposition; super-, position

Example Sentences

When the two overlap, their superposition transfers the information from the original photon to the far-away partner of the entangled pair.

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Quantum batteries -- miniaturized theoretical devices that store energy using quantum phenomena such as superposition, entanglement, and coherence rather than traditional chemical reactions -- could redefine how power is stored and transferred.

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Quantum bits, or qubits, have the property of superposition, which is said to be useful for more complex calculations.

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Quantum bits, or qubits, have the property of superposition, which is said to be useful for more complex calculations.

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When two waves have almost -- but not exactly -- the same frequency, their superposition produces periodic strengthening and weakening.

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