In physics, quantum theory and quantum mechanics are concerned with the behaviour of atomic particles.
Both quantum mechanics and chaos theory suggest a world constantly in flux.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A quantum leap or quantum jump in something is a very great and sudden increase in its size, amount, or quality.
The vaccine represents a quantum leap in healthcare.
quantum in British English
(ˈkwɒntəm)
nounWord forms: plural-ta (-tə)
1. physics
a.
the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory
b.
a particle with such a unit of energy
2.
amount or quantity, esp a specific amount
3. (often used with a negative)
the least possible amount that can suffice
there is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation
4.
something that can be quantified or measured
5. (modifier)
loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important
a quantum improvement
Word origin
C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much
quantum in American English
(ˈkwɑntəm)
nounWord forms: pluralˈquanta (ˈkwɑntə)
1.
quantity, or amount
2.
a specified quantity; portion
3.
in the quantum theory, a (or the) fixed, elemental unit, as of energy, angular momentum, etc.
Word origin
L, neut. sing. of quantus, how much: see quantity
Examples of 'quantum' in a sentence
quantum
But their grasp of quantum mechanics is notoriously weak.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
General relativity cannot tell you how an atom will behave; quantum mechanics ignores gravity.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
My friends were all struggling to understand the law of quantum mechanics and I just learnt it, easy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The semiconductor that gives life to your computer rests on the esoteric theory of quantum mechanics.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He also wants to avoid running into quantum effects.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
This was the jump of quantum for this project.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
What excites me is how do you make a quantum leap in the performance of the business?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He is convinced that quantum mechanics applies to large as well as small things.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In the normal world tiny quantum fluctuations come and go and we are none the wiser.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Here are some of the best quantum physics jokes doing the rounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Does the quantum theory have any practical value?
Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)
It represented a quantum leap in weapons technology.
French, David The British way in Warfare - 1688-2000 (1990)
But the path of violence is not the only avenue into the quantum world.
Christianity Today (2000)
But this information about the distribution of matter is given to us only statistically by quantum theory.
Barrow, John D. The Origin of the Universe (1995)
It is not a small step but a quantum leap in the evolution of the motor car.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It means that he can retire from spelling to focus on pursuing a career path in quantum physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It requires a "quantum jump.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
We have quantum mechanics represented as a guitar, compared to a violin for classical mechanics.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
My perspective is based on ancient Hindu philosophy and quantum physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This is a quantum jump or leap, and it is a very small distance indeed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He added: 'There will be no doubt that there is quantum effects in our hardware.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
At that time, quantum physics says, the cat is both alive and dead.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are now down to about forty silicon atoms across and once they reach ten atoms, weird quantum effects take over and they stop behaving predictably.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
quantum
British English: quantum ADJECTIVE
In physics, quantum theory and quantum mechanics are concerned with the behaviour of atomic particles.
...the rules of quantum mechanics.
American English: quantum
Brazilian Portuguese: quântico
Chinese: 量子的
European Spanish: cuántico
French: quantique
German: Quanten-
Italian: quantistico
Japanese: 量子
Korean: > 양자물리
European Portuguese: quântico
Latin American Spanish: cuántico
All related terms of 'quantum'
light quantum
→ photon
quantum jump
a sudden alteration in the energy level of an atom or molecule
quantum leap
a sudden highly significant advance ; breakthrough
quantum state
a state of a system characterized by a set of quantum numbers and represented by an eigenfunction . The energy of each state is precise within the limits imposed by the uncertainty principle but may be changed by applying a field of force. States that have the same energy are called degenerate
quantum gravity
a theory of the gravitational interaction that involves quantum mechanics to explain the force
quantum meruit
as much as he or she has earned : denoting a payment for goods or services in partial fulfilment of a contract or for those supplied when no price has been agreed
quantum number
one of a set of integers or half-integers characterizing the energy states of a particle or system of particles. A function of the number multiplied by a fixed quantity gives the observed value of some specified physical quantity possessed by the system
quantum physics
quantum theory
a theory concerning the behaviour of physical systems based on Planck's idea that they can only possess certain properties, such as energy and angular momentum , in discrete amounts ( quanta ). The theory later developed in several equivalent mathematical forms based on De Broglie's theory and on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle
quantum computer
a type of computer which uses the ability of quantum systems to be in many different states at once, thus allowing it to perform many different computations simultaneously
quantum efficiency
the number of electrons released by a photocell per photon of incident radiation of a given energy
quantum mechanics
the branch of mechanics , based on the quantum theory used for interpreting the behaviour of elementary particles and atoms, which do not obey Newtonian mechanics
quantum statistics
statistics concerned with the distribution of a number of identical elementary particles , atoms , ions , or molecules among possible quantum states
research quantum
the standard by which the contribution to a university of individual academics is measured and on the basis of which universities receive government funding and academics are promoted
quantum chromodynamics
a theory describing the strong interaction in terms of quarks and gluons , with the colour of quarks used as an analogue of charge and the gluon as an analogue of the photon
quantum cryptography
a method of coding information based on quantum mechanics , which is said to be unbreakable
quantum electronics
the application of quantum mechanics and quantum optics to the study and design of electronic devices
quantum entanglement
a phenomenon in which the quantum states of two or more objects have to be described with reference to each other, even though the individual objects may be spatially separated
quantum teleportation
a process by which a change in the quantum state of one subatomic particle in an entangled pair occurs instantly in its twin , wherever it may be
quantum electrodynamics
a relativistic quantum mechanical theory concerned with electromagnetic interactions
quantum field theory
quantum mechanical theory concerned with elementary particles , which are represented by fields whose normal modes of oscillation are quantized
quantum flavourdynamics
a gauge theory of the electromagnetic and weak interactions
relativistic quantum mechanics
quantum mechanics based on a wave equation satisfying the mathematical requirements of the special theory of relativity and applying to particles of any velocity