quantum /kwonˈtəm/

1. Quantity
2. Amount (esp law)
3. A naturally fixed minimum amount of some entity which is such that all other amounts of that entity occurring in physical processes in nature are integral multiples of it (physics)

(loosely) sudden, spectacularly different

quanˈtal adjective

1. Of, or pertaining to, a quantum (physics)
2. Having one of only two possible states or values

quantizāˈtion or quantisāˈtion noun

quanˈtize or quanˈtise transitive verb

To express in terms of quanta or in accordance with the quantum theory

quantum chromodynamics singular noun

A theory of strong interactions (qv) between elementary particles, including the interaction that binds protons and neutrons to form a nucleus

quantum computer noun

A computer that makes of use of quantum mechanics to perform operations on data

quantum computing noun

quantum dot noun

A tiny cluster of electrons that act as a switch in a quantum computer

quantum efficiency noun

In a photocell or in photosynthesis, the number of electrons released per photon of incident radiation of specified wavelength (also quantum yield)

quantum electrodynamics singular noun

A relativistic quantum theory of electromagnetic interactions

quantum field theory noun

The overall theory of fundamental particles and their interactions

quantum gravity noun

An area of theoretical physics that seeks to unify gravitational physics with quantum field theory

quantum jump or quantum leap noun

1. The sudden transition of an electron, atom, etc from one energy state to another
2. A sudden spectacular advance, esp one which dramatically skips over intermediate stages of understanding or development

quantum mechanics singular noun

A branch of mechanics based on the quantum theory, used in predicting the behaviour of elementary particles

quantum number noun

1. Any of a set of integers or half-integers which together describe the state of a particle or system of particles
2. The principal quantum number, for instance, specifies the electron shell in an atom that an electron occupies

quantum physics singular noun

The branch of physics concerned with quantum theory and its effects

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