Alfvénic
adjective
-¦ve-\
Definition of Alfvénic
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an Alfvén wave Alfvénic velocity In a magnetic nozzle the Alfvén speed plays a role similar to that of the sound speed in a conventional nozzle. The transition from sub-Alfvénic to super-Alfvénic flow delineates a boundary beyond which the flow downstream has no effect upstream—which ensures that the detachment exerts no drag on the rocket.— Franklin R. Chang Díaz, Scientific American, November 2000
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on Alfvénic
What made you want to look up Alfvénic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Find the Cousins
-
- Which pair shares a common word ancestor?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Find the Cousins
Identify the word pairs with a common ancestor
Take the quiz -
Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share Alfvénic
Resources for Alfvénic