Unruh effect

noun

A theoretical prediction in quantum field theory that an observer who is uniformly accelerating through empty space will perceive a thermal bath.

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Meanings

nounUnruh effect (plural Unruh effects)

plural Unruh effects

  1. natural sciencesA theoretical prediction in quantum field theory that an observer who is uniformly accelerating through empty space will perceive a thermal bath.

Origin

Named after W. G. Unruh who described the effect in 1976.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish Unruh-ilmiö
  • Unruh-ilmiöTranslations
German Unruh-Effekt
  • Unruh-EffektTranslations
Polish efekt Unruha
  • efekt UnruhaTranslations
Spanish efecto Unruh
  • efecto UnruhTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

Unruh effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Unruh%20effect

MLA

“Unruh effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Unruh%20effect. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Unruh effect,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Unruh%20effect.

Source: Unruh effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.