What is "point source"

n. 1 (context sciences English) a source of pollution, radiation, waves, fluid or other substance that has one specific location (and negligible physical extent, distinguishing a ''point source'' from other source geometries). In simulations they can often be approximated using mathematical point sources. 2 (context mathematics English) the abstract concept of a singularity emitting a flux or flow. A source with infinitesimal dimensions in space.

n. a spatially constricted by concentrated source (especially of radiation or pollution)

A point source is a localised, relatively small source of something.

Point source may also refer to:

• Point source (pollution), a localised (small) source of pollution
  • Point source water pollution, water pollution with a localized source
• Point mass, a point source of gravitational field

A point source is a single identifiable localised source of something. A point source has negligible extent, distinguishing it from other source geometries. Sources are called point sources because in mathematical modeling, these sources can usually be approximated as a mathematical point to simplify analysis.

The actual source need not be physically small, if its size is negligible relative to other length scales in the problem. For example, in astronomy, stars are routinely treated as point sources, even though they are in actuality much larger than the Earth.Another example of point source is Glowwarm.

In three dimensions, the density of something leaving a point source decreases in proportion to the inverse square of the distance from the source, if the distribution is isotropic, and there is no absorption or other loss.