Gegenkomponente

Gegenkomponente (literally “counter component”) is a term used in German-language technical literature to denote the part of a quantity that is directed opposite to a chosen reference component. The exact meaning depends on context, and it is not a universally defined concept; it serves as a descriptive label rather than a formal, standardized term.

Etymology: The word is formed from Gegen- (“against” or “opposite”) and Komponente (“component”). It appears across disciplines where quantities can be resolved into parts relative to a reference direction or phase.

Usage and interpretation:

- Physics and engineering: The Gegenkomponente of a vector, force, or signal is the portion that points opposite to the reference direction or phase. It is often discussed together with its counterpart, the Gleichkomponente or forward component, which aligns with the reference.

- Signal processing and alternating quantities: A Gegenkomponente may refer to the component that is 180 degrees out of phase with a reference component, effectively counteracting it.

- Control systems: A counteracting influence described as a Gegenkomponente can appear within a feedback or disturbance scenario.

Examples: If a force F is described relative to a forward axis, it can be resolved into a forward (Gleich) component along the axis and a backward (Gegen) component opposite to it. In phasor notation, the Gegenkomponente corresponds to the part of the signal with opposite phase.

Limitations: The term is not standardized; authors may prefer explicit descriptions such as projections, negative projections, or phase-opposed components depending on the field.

See also: Komponente, Projektion, Phasenverschiebung.