What is quantum?

  • (noun): A discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantum in quantum theory.
    See also — Additional definitions below

Some articles on quantum:

Quantum Instrument - Description
... Quantum Instrument collection acts as A quantum instrument is more general than a quantum operation because it records the outcome k of which operator acted on the state ...
Bogosort - Related Algorithms
... Quantum bogosort An in-joke among some computer scientists is that quantum computing could be used to effectively implement a bogosort with a time complexity of O(n) ... It uses true quantum randomness to randomly permute the list ... By the many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics, the quantum randomization spawns (where N is the number of random bits) universes and one of these will be such that ...
Instanton - Physical Description
... a classical solution to equations of motion with a finite, non-zero action, either in quantum mechanics or in quantum field theory ... Instantons are important in quantum field theory because (a) they appear in the path integral as the leading quantum corrections to the classical behavior of a system, and (b ...
Correspondence Principle
... principle states that the behavior of systems described by the theory of quantum mechanics (or by the old quantum theory) reproduces classical physics in the limit of large ...
Vector Boson - Explanation
... The name vector boson arises from quantum field theory ... Quantum superpositions of these states can be taken such that they transform under rotations just like the spatial components of a rotating vector ... If the vector boson is taken to be the quantum of a field, the field is a vector field, hence the name ...

More definitions of "quantum":

  • (noun): (physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory).

Famous quotes containing the word quantum:

    But how is one to make a scientist understand that there is something unalterably deranged about differential calculus, quantum theory, or the obscene and so inanely liturgical ordeals of the precession of the equinoxes.
    Antonin Artaud (1896–1948)

    A personality is an indefinite quantum of traits which is subject to constant flux, change, and growth from the birth of the individual in the world to his death. A character, on the other hand, is a fixed and definite quantum of traits which, though it may be interpreted with slight differences from age to age and actor to actor, is nevertheless in its essentials forever fixed.
    Hubert C. Heffner (1901–1985)

    The receipt to make a speaker, and an applauded one too, is short and easy.—Take of common sense quantum sufficit, add a little application to the rules and orders of the House, throw obvious thoughts in a new light, and make up the whole with a large quantity of purity, correctness, and elegancy of style.
    Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)