duality

• Nom désignant l'état ou la qualité de ce qui est double, impliquant souvent une division en deux parties ou sous-classes opposées ; en physique, il décrit la nature corpusculaire et ondulatoire de la matière et du rayonnement électromagnétique ; en géométrie, il marque l'interchangeabilité des points et des plans en géométrie projective.

A noun referring to the state or quality of being twofold, often involving a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses; in physics, it describes the wave-particle nature of matter and electromagnetic radiation; in geometry, it denotes the interchangeability of points and planes in projective geometry.

1. Twofold natureB2formal

   The state or quality of being made up of two distinct, often opposing, parts or subclasses.

   dualité (caractère double)

   • The duality of good and evil is a common theme in literature.
   • There is a fundamental duality in her character between ambition and compassion.
   • The concept explores the duality of mind and body.

   Synonymesdichotomydualismpolarity

2. Wave-particle dualityC1formalscientific

   A principle in quantum physics stating that matter and electromagnetic radiation exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties depending on the experimental context.

   dualité onde-particule

   • Wave-particle duality is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics.
   • The experiment demonstrated the duality of light as both a wave and a particle.
   • Understanding duality is essential for studying subatomic particles.

   Synonymescomplementarity

3. Geometric dualityC2formalscientific

   In projective geometry, the principle that points and planes can be interchanged in theorems, preserving their truth.

   Dualité géométrique

   • The duality principle allows a theorem about points to be transformed into one about planes.
   • Geometric duality simplifies many complex proofs in projective geometry.
   • Students often find the concept of duality challenging at first.

   Synonymesreciprocity