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Metastability for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ,mɛtəstə'bɪlɪti

What does Metastability really mean?

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Alright, so, "metastability" is a pretty interesting word. It's kind of like when you have a ball sitting at the top of a hill - it's not quite totally still, but it's not rolling down the hill either. So, in science, it's when something is kind of in this in-between state where it's not totally stable, but it's also not changing or moving at that exact moment.

In simpler terms, imagine you have a glass of water with some ice cubes in it. The ice is slowly melting, and the water is starting to warm up, but it's not fully liquid yet. It's kind of in this in-between state, not quite ice, not quite water.

So, in science and engineering, "metastability" is this state where a system or material is kind of hanging out in this middle ground, not quite stable, but not totally changing or moving at that moment. It's like a little pause before things decide what they're going to do next.

I hope that helps you understand what "metastability" means. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Revised and Fact checked by Mike Johnson on 2023-12-03 12:15:34

Metastability In a sentece

Learn how to use Metastability inside a sentece

  • When water is at just the right temperature, it is in a state of metastability, meaning it is nearly ready to freeze or boil.
  • A pencil balanced on its tip is in a state of metastability, because it could fall over at any moment.
  • A ball sitting on the edge of a hill is in a state of metastability, it could roll down the hill at any moment.
  • A person standing on one foot is in a state of metastability, because they could easily lose their balance.
  • A coin standing on its edge is in a state of metastability, it could easily fall over to one side.

Metastability Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Metastability Category

The domain category to which the original word belongs.