repulsia

Repulsia is a term used primarily in speculative physics and science fiction to denote a repulsive interaction or field that pushes objects away rather than attracting them. It is often depicted as arising from hypothetical particles or fields that mediate repulsion between alike charges or masses, or from energy densities with negative pressure.

In theoretical discussions, repulsia is treated as analogous to known forces (gravity, electromagnetism) but with opposite sign or different coupling, sometimes described as a vector field or scalar field with a repulsive coupling. The concept is intentionally underspecified, serving as a placeholder for future discoveries.

In fiction and world-building, repulsia frequently appears as a technological principle enabling propulsion (repulsion drives), shielding (repulsion barriers), or containment (anti-collision fields). Because repulsion can be more easily redirected or controlled at a distance, repulsia-based devices are often portrayed as efficient for close-range maneuvering or rapid acceleration.

Real-world status: Repulsia has no confirmed experimental basis in current physics. It remains a speculative concept or plot device, with any proposed models subject to scrutiny by consistency with established physics, such as energy conditions, causality, and conservation laws.