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Glite Dictionary
Casimir effect

Casimir effect

9.9
A tiny force that pulls very close objects together because empty space contains tiny energy
  • noun
  • /ˈkæzɪmɪr ɪˈfɛkt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : efecto Casimir

Examples

  • Some people at Cal Tech figured out a theoretical way of using the Casimir effect for that purpose.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Researchers demonstrated the Casimir effect by placing two mirrors very close together in a vacuum.

  • The Casimir effect is a fascinating phenomenon that illustrates how quantum fluctuations can create attractive forces between objects.

  • In their experiments, scientists proved that the Casimir effect could influence the behavior of tiny particles in a vacuum.

Surface Forms

Casimir effect singular
Casimir effects plural

Morphology

Casimir + effect

This is an eponymous technical term: knowing 'effect' only indicates a result, while 'Casimir' is a proper name with no semantic content a B1 learner can use to infer quantum vacuum forces. The specific meaning (a quantum force between very close objects) is specialized and not derivable from the constituents, so learners would not be able to predict it from the words alone.

Etymology

Casimir effect is named after Dutch physicist Hendrik Casimir, who showed that even 'empty' space has tiny waves that make two very close metal plates push together. That's why the name means 'a small force between very close objects in space that looks empty'.