nutation Definition
- 1a periodic oscillation of the axis of a rotating body, especially a wobbling of the axis of rotation of a planet or moon.
- 2a nodding or bowing motion
Using nutation: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "nutation" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The nutation of the Earth's axis is caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun.
Example
The nutation of the dancer's head added to the grace of her performance.
Example
The nutation of the plant's stem helped it to reach towards the sunlight.
nutation Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for nutation
Phrases with nutation
Example
The axial nutation of the planet was observed by astronomers.
precession and nutation
the combined effect of two types of motion of the Earth's axis: precession, which is a slow rotation of the axis, and nutation, which is a small, cyclical wobbling of the axis
Example
The precession and nutation of the Earth's axis cause changes in the positions of stars over time.
the angle between the direction of the Earth's axis and the perpendicular to the plane of its orbit, which varies cyclically over a period of about 18.6 years
Example
The nutation angle affects the amount of solar radiation received by the Earth's surface.
Origins of nutation
from Latin 'nutationem', meaning 'a nodding'
Summary: nutation in Brief
'Nutation' [ˌnjuːˈteɪʃən] refers to a periodic oscillation of the axis of a rotating body, such as the wobbling of the axis of rotation of a planet or moon. It can also refer to a nodding or bowing motion, as in the nutation of a dancer's head. The nutation of the Earth's axis is caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun, and can be observed in phrases like 'precession and nutation.'
