Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / November 13, 2021
By Florencia Ucha, in Aug. 2011
The word divergence It is a term that has several references depending on the context. Among the observations that are appreciated we have 1) the separation between lines and / or surfaces, 2) the crossing and debate of opinions, 3) at the behest of mathematics, highlights the flow that enters and leaves a vector field, 4) in the analysis of weather, understand part of the movement of air currents.
Progressive separation that occurs on two or more lines or surfaces
The progressive separation of two or more lines or surfaces it is called divergence.
Disagreement with others for thinking differently
Another use of the term, at the behest of the world of ideas and exchange of the same, the divergence will imply the diversity opinions, the disagreement between two or more people regarding an issue that involves them or regarding a ideology, among other. “ Although with Juan we are separated by differences in politics, in the rest of the questions we agree.”
A human question that is solved with dialogue and a consensus position
Disagreements or divergences are a common and human matter, which occur at all levels and aspects of life.
By this we mean that they are not strangers far from it but that it is common that sometime in life we see ourselves in the midst of them, now, what is suggested, what Ideally, it is to solve them as soon as possible, through mechanisms such as dialogue, and not let them pass because later it may be more difficult to overcome them and solve them.
There are divergences that are easier to solve than others, of course those people who are more affected by dialogue and consensus will be able to settle differences with others faster, while on the contrary, those who are reluctant to do so, because they have a personality closed and very little inclined to approach positions with the other, clearly it will impose a more complex scenario when it comes to finding solutions.
And looking at the issue of divergence from another perspective, we must say that on some occasions they turn out to be most welcome and favorable, because differences in some areas yes or yes, they propose dialogue, exchange of ideas and opinions to reach an agreement, and while in that round trip they go Naturally appearing questions that allow enriching the discussion, and finally synthesizing a solution that contains the best of the views contrary.
Because it is important to make it clear that disagreeing, not agreeing, does not always have to be bad and predispose yes or yes to the fight and dog-face discussions that do not end in finding solutions. In some situations, what has been said can happen, but it is not always, and that is where the divergence undoubtedly has its positive aspect, and that it is very important that it stands out and values.
Another relevant issue that we cannot ignore is that in the face of the divergence, the important thing is to be constructive, not only to agree but also, Even if the agreement is not found, to learn to respect and tolerate that the other does not think like us, this position will undoubtedly make us better people.
Application in mathematics and meteorology
On the other hand, in mathematics, the divergence of a vector field measures the difference between flow in and flow out of a vector field.
Continuing within the mathematical context, the Kullback-Leibler divergence is an indicator of the similarity between two distribution functions of probability.
And on his side, a divergent series It is that infinite series (the sum of the terms of a sequence) that does not converge, therefore, the individual terms must tend to zero.
On meteorology We also find a reference for the term divergence, since in this way the division of each of the vertical air currents into two flows that move away in different directions.
Normally, one is directed to the general direction of the north and the other to the south; divergences and convergences alternate at different levels: altitude and ground level; the passage from one level to another is carried out vertically by the ascents, while the four movements will give space to a circuit, when there is a lower convergence the air masses will rise and when arriving at a certain height they are divided into two flows, each of the flows descending upon reaching a convergence zone and once near the ground, in a new divergence entry, they will move in the opposite direction from the one they had undertaken in altitude.
And the divergence of an electromagnetic beam turns out to be the angular measure of the increase in the diameter of the beam relative to the distance from the optical aperture or the aperture of the antenna from which the beam emerges.
Topics in Divergence