An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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One of a set of → differential equations that describes the motion of a → fluid as a function of → pressure, → density, total external force, and → viscosity. See also → Euler equation.

Named after Claude-Louis Navier (1785-1836), a French engineer and physicist, and George Gabriel Stokes, → stokes; → equation.

The unit of → viscosity in the → cgs system, cm² s^-1, equal to 10^-4 m² s^-1.

After Sir George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903), a British mathematician and physicist, who made important contributions to fluid dynamics, optics, and mathematical physics; → Stokes law; → Stokes parameter.

For the translational motion of a spherical body moving in a → viscous fluid, the proportionality factor between the uniform flow velocity far from the sphere and the drag force, provided no-slip boundary condition and small → Reynolds numbers: f = 6πηR, where η is the Reynolds number and R radius of the sphere.

→ Stokes; → friction; → factor.

1) Fluid mechanics: At low velocities, the frictional force on a spherical body moving through a fluid at constant velocity is equal to 6πRηv, where R is the radius of the sphere, η the fluid → viscosity, and v the velocity.
2) Spectroscopy: The wavelength of → luminescence excited by radiation is always greater than that of the exciting radiation.

→ Stokes; → law.

Four parameters which are needed to fully describe the → polarization state of → electromagnetic radiation. They involve the maximum and minimum intensity, the ellipticity, and the direction of polarization. The four Stokes parameters are traditionally defined as follows:
I ≡ total intensity.
Q ≡ I₀ - I₉₀ = difference in intensities between → horizontal and → vertical  → linearly polarized components.
U ≡ I₊₄₅ - I_-45 = difference in intensities between linearly polarized components oriented at +45° and -45° (or 135°).
V ≡ I_rcp - I_lcp = difference in intensities between right and left → circularly polarized polarized components.

→ Stokes; → parameter.