Definition of discontinuity - What it is, Meaning and Concept

The first thing we are going to do is to know the etymological origin of the term discontinuity that now concerns us.In this case, we can establish that it derives from Latin and that it is the result of the sum of several differentiated parts of that language:-The prefix "Dis-", which can be translated as "separation".-The prefix "con", which is synonymous with "together".-The verb "tenere", which means "retain".-The suffix "-uo", which is used to indicate "relationship".-The suffix "-dad", which is used to warn "quality".

The Spanish Royal Academy ( RAE ) defines the term discontinuity as the characteristic of what is discontinuous : that is, it is not continuous (it is interrupted, it has intermittence, etc.).

The concept of discontinuity appears in different fields.In the field of mathematics , we talk about the discontinuity of a function when it is not continuous at one point.

A discontinuous function, therefore, exhibits a discontinuity at a certain point.In a continuous function, however, its value changes gradually with the modifications recorded by the independent variable.

There are, in the mathematics, two large types of discontinuities: the avoidable discontinuities and the non-avoidable discontinuities .In the non-avoidable ones, we can differentiate between the of the first species and the of the second species .The non-avoidable discontinuities of the second species, in turn, can be of finite jump , from infinite jump or asymptotic .

For social psychology , discontinuity refers to the transformation of an individual cognitive process due to the influence that the individual himself receives by participating in various groups that are part of a society .

The geology , meanwhile, speaks of discontinuity to name the boundaries that are between the layers of rocks that have different densities.

Precisely within this scope we find several types of discontinuities, among which the following stand out:-The discontinuity of Lehmann, discovered by the seismologist Inge Lehmann in 1936.With it comes to talk about the limit that exists between the Earth's solid inner core and the liquid outer core.-Mohorovicic discontinuity is the term used to mention the transition zone that exists between what is the Earth's mantle and the crust.It is also popularly known as mold.-The discontinuity of Gutenberg, was discovered by the seismologist Beno Gutenberg in 1914.It refers to the division that exists between the Earth's core and the mantle, which is considered to be located at about 2,900 km deep.p>

In the same way, we cannot ignore either the existence of what is known as seismic discontinuity.This term refers to an abrupt change in what is the speed of the waves s seismic.

In philosophy , finally, discontinuity is the idea used to indicate the interruption of the supposed continuous progress of science.While knowledge accumulates, society establishes what it considers true for the present and generates discontinuities and jumps with each change of era, reconfiguring his speech.