Vacuum: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:01, 23 March 2025

Absence of matter

Introduction[edit]

A vacuum is a space devoid of matter. The word stems from the Latin term vacuus for "vacant" or "void". An approximation to such vacuum is a region with a gaseous pressure much less than atmospheric pressure. Physicists often discuss ideal test results that would occur in a perfect vacuum, which they sometimes simply call "vacuum" or "free space", and use the term partial vacuum to refer to an actual imperfect vacuum as one might have in a laboratory or in space.

Historical Development[edit]

The concept of vacuum has been central to many scientific advancements. The development of the vacuum pump in the 17th century by Otto von Guericke was a significant milestone. This device allowed for the creation of a vacuum by removing air from a sealed container.

Early Experiments[edit]

In the 17th century, Evangelista Torricelli created the first laboratory vacuum using a barometer. This experiment demonstrated that air had weight and could exert pressure. The

Diagram of a barometer, an early vacuum device

illustrates the basic principle of Torricelli's barometer.

Applications of Vacuum[edit]

Vacuum technology has numerous applications in science and industry. It is essential in the production of semiconductors, the operation of electron microscopes, and the creation of incandescent light bulbs.

Vacuum Tubes[edit]

Vacuum tubes were crucial in the development of early electronics. They control the flow of electricity in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric potential difference has been applied. The

shows an example of an early vacuum tube used in experiments.

Vacuum in Space[edit]

Space is often considered a near-perfect vacuum, although it is not completely devoid of matter. The magnetosphere of Earth, for example, is influenced by the vacuum conditions in space.

Measurement of Vacuum[edit]

The measurement of vacuum is crucial for many scientific and industrial processes. Instruments such as the McLeod gauge are used to measure low pressures in a vacuum.

Quantum Vacuum[edit]

In quantum field theory, the vacuum state is the quantum state with the lowest possible energy. Generally, it contains no physical particles. The concept of vacuum fluctuations arises from the uncertainty principle, which allows for the temporary appearance of particle-antiparticle pairs.

File:Vacuum fluctuations revealed through spontaneous parametric down-conversion.ogv

Vacuum Pumps[edit]

Vacuum pumps are devices that remove gas molecules from a sealed volume to leave behind a partial vacuum. They are essential in many industrial and scientific applications.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Vacuum''' is a state of matter that is characterized by the absence of physical matter, such as atoms, molecules, and ions. It is a concept that has been studied extensively in the fields of [[Physics|physics]], [[Chemistry|chemistry]], and [[Engineering|engineering]] due to its unique properties and applications.
+{{Short description|Absence of matter}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== Definition ==
+==Introduction==
-A '''vacuum''' is defined as a space devoid of matter. In practical terms, it refers to a region with a gaseous pressure much less than atmospheric pressure. The word vacuum comes from the Latin ''vacuus'', which means "empty". However, no perfect vacuum exists in the natural world, and even in man-made environments, a perfect vacuum is nearly impossible to achieve.
+A '''vacuum''' is a space devoid of matter. The word stems from the Latin term ''vacuus'' for "vacant" or "void". An approximation to such vacuum is a region with a gaseous pressure much less than atmospheric pressure. Physicists often discuss ideal test results that would occur in a perfect vacuum, which they sometimes simply call "vacuum" or "free space", and use the term partial vacuum to refer to an actual imperfect vacuum as one might have in a laboratory or in space.
-== Properties ==
+==Historical Development==
-The properties of a vacuum are defined by the absence of particles. This absence of particles results in no [[Air Resistance|air resistance]], which is why vacuums are often used in scientific experiments and industrial processes. In a vacuum, sound cannot propagate because there are no molecules to transmit the sound waves. This is why it is often said that "in space, no one can hear you scream".
+The concept of vacuum has been central to many scientific advancements. The development of the [[vacuum pump]] in the 17th century by [[Otto von Guericke]] was a significant milestone. This device allowed for the creation of a vacuum by removing air from a sealed container.
-== Creation ==
+[[File:Kolbenluftpumpe_hg.jpg|A historical vacuum pump|thumb|right]]
-Creating a vacuum involves removing air from a sealed volume. This is typically achieved using a vacuum pump. In the laboratory, this can be a simple mechanical pump, but in industrial applications, more complex systems are often used.
-== Applications ==
+===Early Experiments===
-Vacuums have a wide range of applications. In science, they are used in experiments where air resistance might affect the results. In industry, they are used in processes such as vacuum forming, where a plastic sheet is heated and then shaped by a mold using a vacuum. In electronics, vacuums are used in devices such as vacuum tubes and cathode ray tubes.
+In the 17th century, [[Evangelista Torricelli]] created the first laboratory vacuum using a [[barometer]]. This experiment demonstrated that air had weight and could exert pressure. The [[File:Baro_0.png|Diagram of a barometer, an early vacuum device|thumb|left]] illustrates the basic principle of Torricelli's barometer.
-== See Also ==
+==Applications of Vacuum==
-* [[Vacuum Pump]]
+Vacuum technology has numerous applications in science and industry. It is essential in the production of [[semiconductors]], the operation of [[electron microscopes]], and the creation of [[incandescent light bulbs]].
-* [[Vacuum Tube]]
-* [[Vacuum Forming]]
-* [[Physics]]
-* [[Chemistry]]
-* [[Engineering]]
+[[File:Gluehlampe_01_KMJ.jpg|An incandescent light bulb, which operates in a vacuum|thumb|right]]
+===Vacuum Tubes===
+[[Vacuum tubes]] were crucial in the development of early electronics. They control the flow of electricity in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric potential difference has been applied. The [[File:Crookes_tube_two_views.jpg|A Crookes tube, an early experimental vacuum tube|thumb|right]] shows an example of an early vacuum tube used in experiments.
+==Vacuum in Space==
+Space is often considered a near-perfect vacuum, although it is not completely devoid of matter. The [[magnetosphere]] of Earth, for example, is influenced by the vacuum conditions in space.
+[[File:Structure_of_the_magnetosphere_LanguageSwitch.svg|Diagram of the magnetosphere, which is influenced by vacuum conditions in space|thumb|right]]
+==Measurement of Vacuum==
+The measurement of vacuum is crucial for many scientific and industrial processes. Instruments such as the [[McLeod gauge]] are used to measure low pressures in a vacuum.
+[[File:McLeod_gauge_01.jpg|A McLeod gauge, used to measure vacuum pressure|thumb|right]]
+==Quantum Vacuum==
+In quantum field theory, the vacuum state is the quantum state with the lowest possible energy. Generally, it contains no physical particles. The concept of [[vacuum fluctuations]] arises from the uncertainty principle, which allows for the temporary appearance of particle-antiparticle pairs.
+[[File:Vacuum_fluctuations_revealed_through_spontaneous_parametric_down-conversion.ogv|Video illustrating vacuum fluctuations|thumb|left]]
+==Vacuum Pumps==
+Vacuum pumps are devices that remove gas molecules from a sealed volume to leave behind a partial vacuum. They are essential in many industrial and scientific applications.
+[[File:L-Pumpe2.png|Diagram of a vacuum pump|thumb|right]]
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Vacuum pump]]
+* [[Vacuum tube]]
+* [[Quantum vacuum]]
+* [[Barometer]]
+* [[Magnetosphere]]
+[[Category:Vacuum]]
 [[Category:Physics]]
-[[Category:Chemistry]]
+[[Category:Thermodynamics]]
-[[Category:Engineering]]
-{{Physics-stub}}
-{{Chemistry-stub}}
-{{Engineering-stub}}