Magnitude vs Intensity - What's the difference?
As nouns the difference between magnitude and intensity is that magnitude is (uncountable|countable) the absolute or relative size, extent or importance of something while intensity is the quality of being intense.
magnitude
English
Noun
(uncountable, countable) The absolute or relative size, extent or importance of something.
(countable) An order of magnitude.
(mathematics) A number, assigned to something, such that it may be compared to others numerically
(mathematics) Of a vector, the norm, most commonly, the two-norm.
(astronomy) The apparent brightness of a star (on a negative, logarithmic scale); apparent magnitude
(seismology) A measure of the energy released by an earthquake (e.g. on the Richter scale).
Derived terms
* order of magnitude
* absolute magnitude
* apparent magnitude
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intensity
English
Noun
(intensities)
the quality of being intense
the degree of strength
(physics) time-averaged energy flux (the ratio of average power to the area through which the power “flows”); irradiance
(optics) can mean any of radiant intensity, luminous intensity or irradiance
(astronomy) syn. radiance
(geology) The severity of an earthquake in terms of its effects on the earth’s surface, and buildings. The value depends on the distance from the epicentre, and is not to be confused with the magnitude.
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