TESSERAL Meaning and
Definition
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Tesseral is an adjective used in the field of geophysics and mathematics to describe a specific type of spherical harmonic expansion. The term is derived from the Latin word "tessera," meaning a small square tile, indicating the nature of the expansion as being composed of small square patches.
In geophysics, the term tesseral refers to a type of harmonics that describe the variations in Earth's gravitational field due to the uneven distribution of mass within the planet. These harmonic functions are used to model the geopotential of the Earth and can be mathematically expressed as a combination of spherical harmonics. Tesseral harmonics account for the more significant variations in gravitational potential caused by the Earth's topography and irregular mass distribution, unlike zonal and sectorial harmonics that describe the approximate spherical shape of the Earth.
Mathematically, tesseral harmonics represent a specific decomposition of a function defined on the sphere surface into a sum of products of spherical harmonics and associated Legendre polynomials. This expansion provides a way to analyze the complex behavior of the function and accurately represent its spatial variations.
The term tesseral can also be used more generally to describe any shape, object, or system that exhibits small square features or elements. It implies a sense of regularity and organization within the object, often associated with patterns or tessellations, which can be observed in fields such as art, design, and architecture.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TESSERAL
- tesselal
- tesselar
- resseral
- fesseral
- gesseral
- yesseral
- 6esseral
- 5esseral
- twsseral
- tssseral
- tdsseral
- trsseral
- t4sseral
- t3sseral
- teaseral
- tezseral
- texseral
- tedseral
- teeseral
- tewseral
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