RENORMALIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Renormalization is a fundamental concept in physics that refers to a process of redefining certain variables or parameters in a theory to account for or eliminate certain divergences or infinities that arise in calculations. These divergences often occur when attempting to describe the behavior of particles or fields at extremely small distances or high energies, where classical equations and standard quantum field theory fail to provide meaningful results.
In quantum field theory, for example, particles and fields are described by mathematical quantities that can become infinite due to interactions at very small scales. Renormalization addresses this issue by systematically rescaling or redefining these quantities to eliminate infinities and return physical predictions that can be compared with experimental observations.
The process of renormalization involves two main steps: regularization and subtraction. Regularization involves modifying the equations or quantities by adding additional terms or introducing a cutoff value, which allows the calculations to be carried out in a way that avoids infinities. Subtraction then involves removing these additional modifications in a controlled manner to obtain finite, physical values.
Renormalization has proven to be a powerful and successful technique in various branches of physics, such as quantum electrodynamics and quantum chromodynamics. It has provided a framework for reconciling quantum mechanics and special relativity, leading to accurate predictions and a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces of nature.
Common Misspellings for RENORMALIZATION
Etymology of RENORMALIZATION
The word "renormalization" is derived from the combination of two terms: "re" and "normalization".
The term "normalization" originally comes from the Latin word "normalis", which means "made according to a carpenter's square or right angle". It evolved in mathematics to denote the process of scaling quantities to a standard unit or range, often involving bringing values within a range of 0 to 1.
The prefix "re" comes from Latin as well and means "again" or "back". It indicates repetition or a return to a previous state.
Therefore, the word "renormalization" can be understood as the process of bringing something back to a standard or normalized state once again. In physics, renormalization refers to the method of adjusting certain parameters or quantities within a theory to eliminate divergences or inconsistencies that arise in certain calculations.
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