Difference between revisions of "Phase"

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-{{Glossary}}
-A '''phase''' is a representative [[generation]] of a periodic object such as an [[oscillator]] or [[spaceship]]. The number of phases is equal to the [[period]] of the object. The phases of an object usually repeat in the same cyclic sequence forever, although some perturbations can cause a [[Phase#Phase change|phase change]].
-==Phase change==
-A '''phase change''' is a perturbation of a periodic object which causes the object to skip ahead by one or more phases. If the perturbation is repeated indefinitely, this can effectively change the period of the object. An example of this phenomenon, found by [[:Category:Patterns found by Dean Hickerson|Dean Hickerson]] in November [[:Category:Patterns found in 1998|1998]], is given by [[28P7.1]]. In that example, the [[period]] of the oscillator is normally [[:Category:Oscillators with period 7|7]], but with the addition of a nearby [[mold]] its period is increased to [[:Category:Oscillators with period 8|8]] because of the repeated phase changes caused by the mold's [[spark]].
-{|
-|-
-| [[Image:28p71.png|framed|left|28P7.1 alone is a period 7 oscillator]]
-| [[Image:28p71_with_mold.png|framed|left|When a mold is added it becomes a period 8 oscillator]]
-|}
-==External links==
-*[http://www.argentum.freeserve.co.uk/lex_p.htm#phase Phase] at the Life Lexicon

Revision as of 16:25, 21 October 2013