Coupling
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Generally, coupling means a mechanical connection between two things. For example railway carriages and wagons are coupled together. Other examples of link coupling include clamps, nipples, and vises. A hose coupling connects two pieces of firehose. Coupling has other specific meanings in physics, electronics, mathematics, programming and entertainment.
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Physics
Main article coupling
In physics, two systems are coupled if they are interacting with each other. Of special interest is the coupling of two (or more) vibratory systems (e.g. pendula or resonant circuits) by means of springs or magnetic fields, etc. Characteristic for a coupled oscilation is the effect of beat.
Electronics
In telecommunication and electronics, coupling is the desirable or undesirable transfer of energy from one medium, such as a metallic wire or an optical fiber, to another medium, including fortuitous transfer.
Note: Examples of coupling include capacitive (electrostatic) coupling, inductive (magnetic) coupling, conducted (resistive or hard-wire) coupling, and fiber-optic coupling.
Source: This portion is originally from the Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188
See also
- Electronics Acoustic coupler, Antenna noise temperature, Loading coil, Directional coupler, Equilibrium length, Shield
- Lists: List of electronics topics, List of object-oriented programming terms
Mathematics
In probability theory, coupling is the presenting of two random variables on the same probability space in a dependant way, in order to infer some connection between them. See coupling (probability).
Computer programming
See dependency (computer science).
Chemistry
- In organic chemistry coupling of hydrocarbon fragments occur in coupling reactions.
- The term "coupling" is often used for Angular momentum coupling, the interaction between two nuclei in Nuclear magnetic resonance.
- Coupling can also refer to the interdependence of rotational, vibrational, and electronic states of a molecule.
See also
- List of object-oriented programming terms
- Portland Pattern Repository's Wiki page on coupling and cohesion
Entertainment
In entertainment, Coupling is a television comedy series from the UK with an extremely short-lived American copy.
See also
- Entertainment: British sitcom, List of BBC television programming
- People: Steven Moffat
General
Coupling with reference to living beings refers to mating or to the act of sexual intercourse.