pseudoscalaradj.n.
/ˌs(j)uːdə(ʊ)ˈskeɪlə/, U.S. /ˌsudoʊˈskeɪlər/ (in sense B.)Brit. /ˈs(j)uːdə(ʊ)ˌskeɪlə/, U.S. /ˈsudoʊˌskeɪlər/ Mathematics and Physics.
A. adj.
Relating to or of the nature of a variable quantity that transforms as a scalar under rotation but changes sign under reflection; described or represented mathematically by such a quantity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > wave mechanics > [adjective] > relating to specific particle
pseudoscalar1925
1925 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 105 426 The expression..is used by Gibbs to denote the ‘pseudo-scalar’ product.
1941 Physical Rev. 60 151/2 Pseudo-scalar theories can give a scattering small enough to agree with that observed.
1947 Rev. Mod. Physics 19 5/1 The initial vector meson is decomposed into a pseudoscalar meson and a photon.
1974 Physics Bull. Dec. 579/2 Pions are pseudoscalar objects and cannot condense out in states of zero momentum.
2003 M. Roos Introd. Cosmol. (ed. 3) ix. 250 The axion is a light pseudoscalar boson.
B. n.
A pseudoscalar quantity. Also: a subatomic particle whose wave function is such a quantity, the particle having zero spin and odd parity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > wave mechanics > [noun] > particle of specific wave function
pseudoscalar1938
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [noun] > particular qualities > scalar > pseudoscalar
pseudoscalar1938
1938 Proc. Royal Soc. 166 137 The quantities occurring in our possible fundamental equations are one scalar (ϕ), two 4-vectors (χα and ϕα), two antisymmetrical tensors of the second order (χαβ and ϕαβ), two ‘pseudovectors’..(χαβγ and ϕαβγ), and finally one ‘pseudoscalar’ (χ0123).
1950 Physical Rev. 78 805/2 It then follows..that the π-meson is a pseudo~scalar.
2001 W. H. Cropper Great Physicists xxv. 398 Axial vectors and pseudoscalars differ from vectors and scalars in their reflection symmetry.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1925