Stark effect

noun

1. Physics. (often lowercase) the splitting into two or more components of the spectral lines of atoms in an electric field.

Stark effect

/ ʃtark /

noun

1. the splitting of the lines of a spectrum when the source of light is subjected to a strong electrostatic field, discovered by Johannes Stark (1874–1957) in 1913

Stark effect

/ stärk /

1. The splitting of single spectral lines of an emission or absorption spectrum of a substance into several components when the substance is placed in an electric field. The effect occurs when several electron orbitals in the same shell, which normally have the same energy level, have different energies due to their different orientations in the electric field. Quantum mechanical predictions of this effect are extremely accurate, a fact that provided compelling early evidence for quantum mechanics. The Stark effect is named after its discoverer, German physicist Johannes Stark (1874–1957).
2. Compare Zeeman effect

Word History and Origins

Origin of Stark effect¹

Named after J. Stark, who described it in 1913

Example Sentences

A town transformed: The actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who bought the British soccer club Wrexham, have had a stark effect on the team and its community — evident during Wrexham’s 3-3 F.A.

From New York Times

Although all the surfaces and structural elements are concrete, including furniture of Olgiati’s own design, the stark effect is softened by velvet sofa cushions as gray as nearly everything else in the room.

From New York Times

They acknowledge how racist policies such as redlining have had a stark effect on the presence of urban green space, and that trees are important for public health.

From Washington Post

The impacts of communal life on each species reveal a unique aspect of duck biology: the social milieu has a stark effect on penis growth.

From National Geographic

Though it contains little new research, it has made waves by collating an array of available literature indicating that climate change will have a stark effect on the world’s coffee supply.

From New York Times