vacuum fluctuation

American  

noun

vacuum fluctuations plural

1. Physics. a random, temporary change in the energy of empty space arising from the uncertainty principle that briefly produces virtual particle-antiparticle pairs.

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vacuum fluctuation Scientific  

1. A spontaneous, short-lived fluctuation in the energy level of a vacuum, as described by quantum field theory. Although these variations are violations of the law of conservation of energy, they are tolerated in quantum mechanics by virtue of the uncertainty principle. Such fluctuations are associated with virtual particles.

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