Metastability

Metastability refers to a state where a system remains stable for a certain period but is not the most stable or lowest-energy state possible. It’s like balancing a ball on a hilltop—stable temporarily, but with a slight nudge, it will roll down to a more stable position. In electronics, this can happen in circuits when signals switch states, potentially causing errors or unpredictable behavior. Metastable states are important to consider because, although temporary, they can affect system reliability and performance until the system settles into its stable state.