Site Glossary

A form of energy thought to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the Universe.

unseen matter inferred mainly from its gravitational effects.

the proposed large distribution of dark matter surrounding a galaxy.

A decrease in speed.

the tendency of a detection method to find some types of objects more easily than others.

An optical device that separates light into its component wavelengths.

a method of representing or transmitting information using discrete values or symbols.

a powerful tool in the realm of physics and engineering that allows us to understand and manipulate the relationships between different physical quantities by examining their dimensions.

involves examining the units of different physical quantities and establishing relationships based on their dimensions. By comparing the dimensions of various variables, we can determine whether they can be combined in a meaningful way or if they need to be manipulated to achieve dimensional consistency.

A comparison of units used to test whether an equation or answer is consistent.

Agreement between the units of all terms in an equation.