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Metastability (Noun)

Meaning

The quality of a physical system that persists in its existing equilibrium when undisturbed (or only slightly disturbed) but able to pass to a more stable equilibrium when sufficiently disturbed.

Classification

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.

Examples

  • The crystal lattice of the metal alloy exhibited metastability, retaining its structure under normal conditions but changing rapidly when subjected to high pressure.
  • Metastability is a characteristic of some supersaturated solutions, which can remain in a state of apparent stability until a tiny disturbance triggers rapid crystallization.
  • The chemical reaction exhibited metastability, with the reactants remaining in a state of temporary equilibrium until a spark triggered a rapid transition to a more stable product.
  • In quantum mechanics, metastability can arise when a system becomes trapped in a local energy minimum, from which it can escape to a lower energy state only when disturbed by an external perturbation.
  • A lake's water level can exhibit metastability, remaining stable for long periods before a sufficient increase in precipitation triggers a sudden overflow and a transition to a new equilibrium level.

Hypernyms

  • Stability
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