Definitions for bistability
bista·bil·i·ty

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1. bistabilitynoun

   The state or condition of being bistable.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Bistability

   In a dynamical system, bistability means the system has two stable equilibrium states. Something that is bistable can be resting in either of two states. An example of a mechanical device which is bistable is a light switch. The switch lever is designed to rest in the "on" or "off" position, but not between the two. Bistable behavior can occur in mechanical linkages, electronic circuits, nonlinear optical systems, chemical reactions, and physiological and biological systems. In a conservative force field, bistability stems from the fact that the potential energy has two local minima, which are the stable equilibrium points. These rest states need not have equal potential energy. By mathematical arguments, a local maximum, an unstable equilibrium point, must lie between the two minima. At rest, a particle will be in one of the minimum equilibrium positions, because that corresponds to the state of lowest energy. The maximum can be visualized as a barrier between them. A system can transition from one state of minimal energy to the other if it is given enough activation energy to penetrate the barrier (compare activation energy and Arrhenius equation for the chemical case). After the barrier has been reached, assuming the system has damping, it will relax into the other minimum state in a time called the relaxation time. Bistability is widely used in digital electronics devices to store binary data. It is the essential characteristic of the flip-flop, a circuit which is a fundamental building block of computers and some types of semiconductor memory. A bistable device can store one bit of binary data, with one state representing a "0" and the other state a "1". It is also used in relaxation oscillators, multivibrators, and the Schmitt trigger. Optical bistability is an attribute of certain optical devices where two resonant transmissions states are possible and stable, dependent on the input. Bistability can also arise in biochemical systems, where it creates digital, switch-like outputs from the constituent chemical concentrations and activities. It is often associated with hysteresis in such systems.

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1. Bistability

   Bistability is a fundamental phenomenon in nature. Something that is bistable can be resting in either of two states. These rest states need not be symmetric with respect to stored energy. The defining characteristic of bistability is simply that two stable states are separated by a peak. In physics, for an ensemble of particles, the bistability comes from the fact that its free energy has three critical points. Two of them are minima and the last is a maximum. By mathematical arguments, the maximum must lie between the two minima. By default, the system state will be in either of the minima states, because that corresponds to the state of lowest energy. The maximum can be visualised as a barrier. A transition from one state of minimal free energy requires some form of activation energy to penetrate the barrier. After the barrier has been reached, the system will relax into the next state of lowest energy again. The time it takes is usually attributed the relaxation time. There might be uncertainty as to which state will be the new one, but it is often well defined in the situation. Optical bistability is an attribute of certain optical devices where two resonant transmissions states are possible and stable, dependent on the input.

How to pronounce bistability?

1. Alex

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How to say bistability in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of bistability in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of bistability in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

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References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Bistability
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bistability
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=bistability