(physics) the conversion of electromagnetic radiation into electric power through absorption by a semiconducting material

(physics) the generation of static electricity by friction between different materials

(physics, fluid mechanics) The reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows through a constriction.

(physics) A test of the strong equivalence principle of general relativity that relies on detecting polarization in the orbit of the moon in the direction of the sun.

(physics) the change in the spin of a gyroscope as it moves through curved spacetime

Alternative form of Cerenkov effect

(physics) The emission of light (Cerenkov radiation) that occurs when a charged particle passes through an insulator at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium; the characteristic blue glow from a nuclear reactor.

The situation in which one event sets off a chain of additional events.

(US politics) The effect that a candidate for the corresponding political office (especially the office of President of the United States) can have on a close political election, when their candidacy results in the election being won by a candidate dissimilar to them, rather than a candidate similar to them.

(voting theory) the effect a minor party candidate with little chance of winning has upon a close election, when that candidate's presence in the election draws votes from a candidate similar to them, thereby causing a candidate dissimilar to them to win the election.