Verschiebung

Verschiebung is a German noun meaning shift, displacement, offset, or postponement. In general use it denotes moving something away from a reference position or time.

In mathematics and geometry it denotes a rigid transformation that moves every point of a figure by the same vector; this is called a translation. The vector by which the object is moved is called the Verschiebungsvektor. Such a transformation preserves shape and size but changes location.

In physics and kinematics Verschiebung typically refers to displacement: the vector from an object's initial position to its final position. It is independent of the path taken and is different from the distance travelled, which is the path length.

In astronomy and spectroscopy Verschiebung describes a shift of spectral lines. When lines move toward longer wavelengths the term Rotverschiebung (redshift) is used; toward shorter wavelengths is Blauverschiebung (blueshift). The general term Verschiebung is used to describe the phenomenon irrespective of direction.

In chemistry, especially NMR spectroscopy, chemische Verschiebung denotes the chemical shift of a nucleus relative to a reference compound, expressed in parts per million.

In geology, Verschiebung is used for fault offset or horizontal/vertical displacement of rocks along a fault.

In everyday German, Verschiebung also means postponement or rescheduling of an appointment or event.