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Reversible vs Transient - What's the difference?

reversible | transient |

In physics terms the difference between reversible and transient

is that reversible is (of a phase change) capable of returning to the original state while transient is a transient phenomenon, especially an electric current; a very brief surge.

As adjectives the difference between reversible and transient

is that reversible is able to be reversed while transient is passing or disappearing with time; transitory.

As a noun transient is

something which is transient.

reversible

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • able to be reversed
  • (of clothing) able to be worn inside out
  • (chemistry) (of a chemical reaction ) capable of proceeding in either direction
  • (physics) (of a phase change ) capable of returning to the original state
  • (thermodynamics) capable of returning to the original state without consumption of free energy and increase of entropy

    • Antonyms

    * irreversible

    Derived terms

    * reversibility

    transient

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Passing or disappearing with time; transitory.
    • a transient pleasure
  • * Milton
    • this transient world
  • Remaining for only a brief time.
    • a transient view of a landscape
  • (physics) Decaying with time, especially exponentially.
  • (mathematics, stochastic processes, of a state) having a positive probability of being left and never being visited again.
  • Occasional; isolated; one-off; individual.
  • Passing through; passing from one person to another.
  • (philosophy) Operating beyond itself; having an external effect.

    • Synonyms

    * (passing) passing, transitory, temporary * (brief) brief, ephemeral, fleeting, flighty, fugacious

    Antonyms

    * (passing) permanent * (brief) permanent * (mathematics) recurrent * (philosophy) immanent

    Derived terms

    * transience * transiently * transientness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something which is transient.
  • (physics) A transient phenomenon, especially an electric current; a very brief surge.
  • (acoustics) A relatively loud, non-repeating signal in an audio waveform which occurs very quickly, such as the attack of a snare drum.
  • A person who passes through a place for a short time; a traveller; a migrant worker
  • * 1996 , , Oyster , Virago Press, paperback edition, page 3
    • Then, within the space of a few months, there were more transients than there were locals, and the imbalance seemed morally wrong.
  • An unhoused person

    • Synonyms

    * (4) traveller: itinerant, migrant, traveller * (5) homeless: homeless

    Anagrams

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