Quadrupole - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A quadrupole is a physical arrangement of electric or magnetic charges or poles that produces a field with two pairs of opposite poles. It is commonly used in physics and engineering to describe certain types of fields or lenses.
Definition:
A system of four electric charges or magnetic poles arranged in a specific configuration.
Synonyms:
four-pole, multipole, dipole
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
monopole, dipole
Common Collocations:
quadrupole moment, quadrupole magnet, quadrupole field
Derivatives:
quadrupolar, quadrupoles
Usage Tips:
Use "quadrupole" in physics contexts to describe charge or pole arrangements; avoid in general conversation.
Common Phrases:
quadrupole lens, quadrupole mass spectrometer, quadrupole interaction
Etymology:
From Latin "quadri-" (four) + Greek "polos" (pole), referring to a four-pole system.
Examples:
- 1. The scientist studied the quadrupole's magnetic properties.
- 2. A quadrupole can be formed by arranging four charges symmetrically.
- 3. The device uses a quadrupole to focus the ion beam.
- 4. Quadrupoles are essential in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.