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Fluctuation vs Perturbation - What's the difference?

fluctuation | perturbation |

As nouns the difference between fluctuation and perturbation

is that fluctuation is a motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that direction while perturbation is (uncountable) agitation; the state of being perturbed.

fluctuation

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that direction.
  • the fluctuations of the sea
  • A wavering; unsteadiness.
  • fluctuations of opinion
    fluctuations of prices
  • In medicine, a wave-like motion or undulation of a fluid in a natural or abnormal cavity (e.g. pus in an abscess), which is felt during palpation or percussion.
  • perturbation

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) Agitation; the state of being perturbed
  • (countable) A small change in a physical system, or more broadly any definable system (such as a biological or economic system)
  • (countable, astronomy, physics) Variation in an orbit due to the influence of external bodies