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The Euler characteristic is a topological invariant, a number that describes a topological space's structure or shape regardless of how it is bent. For polyhedra, it is defined by the formula [latex]\chi = V - E + F[/latex], where V, E, and F are the number of vertices, edges, and faces, respectively. For a sphere, [latex]\chi = 2[/latex], while for a torus, [latex]\chi = 0[/latex].

A second-order linear elliptic partial differential equation that describes systems in a steady-state or equilibrium condition. It is written as [latex]nabla^2 u = 0[/latex] or [latex]Delta u = 0[/latex], where [latex]nabla^2[/latex] (or [latex]Delta[/latex]) is the Laplace operator. Solutions, called harmonic functions, are the smoothest possible functions and represent potentials in fields like electrostatics, gravitation, and fluid flow.

A reformulation of classical mechanics based on the principle of stationary action. It uses a scalar quantity called the Lagrangian, defined as kinetic energy minus potential energy ([latex]L = T - V[/latex]). The equations of motion are derived from the Euler-Lagrange equation, [latex]\frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q}_i} \right) - \frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i} = 0[/latex], using generalized coordinates, which simplifies analysis of complex systems with constraints.

Solid mechanics is a branch of continuum mechanics that studies the behavior of solid materials, especially their motion and deformation under the action of forces, temperature changes, or other external loads. It is fundamental to engineering for the design and analysis of structures. Key areas include elasticity (recoverable deformation), plasticity (permanent deformation), and fracture mechanics (crack initiation and propagation).

Electromotive force ([latex]\mathcal{E}[/latex]) is the work done per unit of electric charge by a non-electrical source, such as a battery or generator. Despite its name, it is not a mechanical force but an electric potential, measured in volts. It represents the energy converted from another form (chemical, mechanical) into electrical energy as a charge traverses the source.

The electric current in a Voltaic pile is produced by a redox reaction. At the zinc anode, zinc metal is oxidized, releasing two electrons per atom ([latex]Zn \rightarrow Zn^{2+} + 2e^{-}[/latex]). These electrons travel through the external circuit to the copper cathode. There, hydrogen ions from the aqueous electrolyte are reduced, forming hydrogen gas ([latex]2H^{+} + 2e^{-} \rightarrow H_2[/latex]).

The electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water (H₂O) into its constituent elements, oxygen (O₂) and hydrogen (H₂), by passing an electric current through it. At the cathode, two water molecules are reduced to form hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions. At the anode, two water molecules are oxidized to form oxygen gas, protons, and electrons.

In continuum mechanics, the principle of mass conservation states that the mass of a closed system must remain constant over time. For a fluid, this is expressed by the continuity equation. In its Eulerian differential form, it is written as [latex]\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \mathbf{u}) = 0[/latex], where [latex]\rho[/latex] is the density and [latex]\mathbf{u}[/latex] is the velocity field.

Bézout's theorem is a fundamental statement in intersection theory. It asserts that the number of intersection points of two plane algebraic curves of degrees [latex]m[/latex] and [latex]n[/latex] is exactly [latex]mn[/latex], provided that one works in a projective plane over an algebraically closed field, counts points with multiplicity, and includes points at infinity where parallel asymptotes meet.

These are two ways to describe motion in continuum mechanics:

• the Lagrangian specification follows individual material particles, tracking their properties over time, like watching a specific car in traffic
• the Eulerian specification focuses on fixed points in space, observing the properties (velocity, density) of whatever particles pass through those points, like a traffic camera observing a fixed intersection.

A technique for solving first-order and hyperbolic second-order partial differential equations (PDE). The method reduces a PDE to a family of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) along specific curves called 'characteristics'. Along these curves, the PDE simplifies, allowing the solution to be found by integrating the system of ODEs. It is particularly powerful for problems involving transport and wave propagation.

Galvanic corrosion is an electrochemical process where one metal corrodes preferentially when in electrical contact with another in the presence of an electrolyte. This occurs because the dissimilar metals create a bimetallic couple, with the less noble (more active) metal acting as the anode and corroding, while the more noble metal acts as the cathode.

The first electric battery, it produces a direct current by stacking pairs of dissimilar metal discs (e.g., zinc and copper) separated by brine-soaked cloth. Each pair forms a galvanic cell, and stacking them in series increases the overall voltage. This arrangement demonstrated the first continuous conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy, paving the way for modern electrochemistry.

The Voltaic pile established the principle of adding voltages by connecting electrochemical cells in series. Each zinc-copper pair, or cell, generates a characteristic electromotive force (EMF) of approximately 0.76 volts. By physically stacking these cells, Volta demonstrated that the total voltage across the pile is the sum of the individual EMFs of each cell, as described by [latex]V_{total} = n \times V_{cell}[/latex].

A primary flaw of the Voltaic pile is electrode polarization. During operation, hydrogen gas produced at the copper cathode forms an insulating layer of bubbles on its surface. This layer increases the battery's internal resistance and reduces the surface area available for reaction. As a result, the voltage and current output of the pile drop significantly shortly after it begins to be used.