photoelasticity

[ foh-toh-i-la-stis-i-tee, -ee-la-stis- ]
/ ˌfoʊ toʊ ɪ læˈstɪs ɪ ti, -ˌi læˈstɪs- /

noun Physics.

the phenomenon of double refraction of polarized light by a transparent substance under elastic stress, used to measure strain in elastic, transparent materials.

Origin of photoelasticity

First recorded in 1910–15; photo- + elasticity

OTHER WORDS FROM photoelasticity

pho·to·e·las·tic [foh-toh-i-las-tik] /ˌfoʊ toʊ ɪˈlæs tɪk/, adjective

Words nearby photoelasticity

photodrama, photoduplicate, photodynamic, photodynamics, photodynia, photoelasticity, photoelectric, photoelectric cell, photoelectric current, photoelectric effect, photoelectric magnitude

British Dictionary definitions for photoelasticity

photoelasticity
/ (ˌfəʊtəʊɪlæˈstɪsɪtɪ) /

noun

the effects of stress, such as double refraction, on the optical properties of transparent materials