hysteresis

hys·ter·e·sis  (hst-rss)

n. pl. hys·ter·e·ses (-sz)

The lagging of an effect behind its cause, as when the change in magnetism of a body lags behind changes in the magnetic field.

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[Greek hustersis, a shortcoming, from husterein, to come late, from husteros, late; see ud- in Indo-European roots.]

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hyster·etic (-rtk) adj.

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hysteresis [ˌhɪstəˈriːsɪs]

n

(Physics / General Physics) Physics the lag in a variable property of a system with respect to the effect producing it as this effect varies, esp the phenomenon in which the magnetic flux density of a ferromagnetic material lags behind the changing external magnetic field strength

[from Greek husterēsis coming late, from husteros coming after]

hysteretic  [ˌhɪstəˈrɛtɪk] adj

hysteretically  adv

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hysteresis  (hst-rss)

The dependence of the state of a system on the history of its state. For example, the magnetization of a material such as iron depends not only on the magnetic field it is exposed to but on previous exposures to magnetic fields. This "memory" of previous exposure to magnetism is the working principle in audio tape and hard disk devices. Deformations in the shape of substances that last after the deforming force has been removed, as well as phenomena such as supercooling, are examples of hysteresis.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

hysteresis - the lagging of an effect behind its cause; especially the phenomenon in which the magnetic induction of a ferromagnetic material lags behind the changing magnetic field physical phenomenon - a natural phenomenon involving the physical properties of matter and energy