An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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The energy acquired by an electron when accelerated through a → potential difference of 1 volt (1 eV = 1.602 × 10^-12 → ergs = 11605 → kelvins).

→ electron; → volt.

1) Of or relating to electrons or to an electron.
2) Of or relating to → electronics or to → devices, → circuits, or systems developed through electronics (Dictionary.com).

→ electron; → -ic.

In molecular quantum mechanics, any of → quantum states corresponding to a particular → electron configuration (i.e. an arrangement of the electron(s) in certain → orbitals). The electron configuration with the lowest energy is called the → ground state. All higher energy states are called → excited states.

→ electronic; → state.

The → transfer of an → electron from one → energy level to another.

→ electronic; → transition.

The science dealing with the development and application of → devices and → systems involving the flow of → electrons in a → vacuum, in → gaseous media, and in → semiconductors (Dictionary.com).

→ electron; → -ics.

An instrument for detecting electric charges or → potential differences.

→ electro-; → -scope.

Referring to electric charges at rest.

→ electro-; → static.

A quantity of electricity at rest on the surface of an insulator or an insulated conductor.

→ electrostatic; → charge.

A region of space in which a non-moving → electric charge would be subjected to a force of attraction or repulsion as a result of the presence of another stationary electric charge. The electrostatic field is a special case of the → electromagnetic field.

→ electrostatic; → field.

The production of stationary electric charges on an uncharged object as a result of a charged body being brought near it without touching it. A positive charge will induce a negative charge, and vice versa.

→ electrostatic; → induction.

The unit of electric charge in the → cgs system of units. Also called the → statcoulomb. The esu is defined such that if two objects, each carrying a charge of +1 esu, are 1 cm aparat, then they repel each other with a force of 1 → dyne. 1 esu = 3.3356 × 10^-10 → coulombs.

→ electrostatic; → unit; → charge.

In a → plasma, a disturbance that is devoid of magnetic field, and hence can be expressed by an electrostatic potential. The electric field is always parallel to the propagation vector, so that the electrostatic wave is → longitudinal.

→ electrostatic; → wave.

The branch of → electricity dealing with the phenomena and properties of stationary → electric charges, as opposed to → electrodynamics. It involves the build-up of charge on the → surface of → objects due to → contact with other surfaces.

→ electro- + → statics.

Of, relating to, or being the → unification of → electromagnetism and the → weak interaction.

→ electro-; → weak.

A period in the early history of the Universe lasting from 10^-36 to 10^-12 seconds after the → Big Bang. The electroweak epoch begins at the same time as cosmic → inflation is triggered. This is also the time when the → strong force breaks from the → grand unified force and ends with another → phase transition will occur in which the → weak interaction breaks from the → electroweak force.

→ electroweak; → epoch.

The force that takes part in an → electroweak interaction.

→ electroweak; → force.

The unified description of two of the four fundamental interactions of nature, → electromagnetism and the → weak interaction which would merge into a single force under conditions of extreme temperature (above 10¹⁶ degrees, 10² GeV) prevalent in the early history of the → Universe.

→ electroweak; → interaction.

A postulated type of star that could form toward the end of a → massive star's life, after → nuclear fusion has stopped in its → core, and before the star → collapses into a → black hole. In those → extreme conditions, when → temperature and → density inside the star are very high, → quarks could convert into → leptons. Hence huge amounts of energy can be released, much of which would be in the form of → neutrinos.

→ electroweak; → star.

Elegance quality; something elegant.

Noun from → elegant.

Gracefully refined and dignified, as in tastes, habits, or literary style; graceful in form or movement; excellent; fine; superior (Dictionary.com).

M.E., from M.Fr., from L. elegantem (nominative elegans) "choice, fine, tasteful," from eligere "to select, choose."

Qašang "elegant, nicely fitted up" (Steingass), variant šang; cf. Sogd. xšang "beautiful, magnificient, excellent," maybe related to Av. xšnu- "to entertain, welcome, take care of (a guest)," O.Pers. xšnu- "to be satisfied, glad," Pers. xošnud "satisfied, content."