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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpg In physics, a '''quantum''' (plural: ''quanta'') is the minimum unit of any physical entity involved in an interaction. An example of an ent...'
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In [[physics]], a '''quantum''' (plural: ''quanta'') is the minimum unit of any [[physical]] [[entity]] involved in an interaction. An example of an entity that is quantized is the [[energy]] transfer of [[elementary]] particles of [[matter]] (called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermions fermions]) and of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photons photons] and other [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosons bosons]. The [[word]] comes from the [[Latin]] "quantus", for "how much." Behind this, one finds the fundamental notion that a physical property may be "quantized", referred to as "quantization". This means that the magnitude can take on only certain discrete numerical values, rather than any value, at least within a range. There is a related term of quantum number.
A photon, for example, is a single quantum of [[light]], and may thus be referred to as a "light quantum". The [[energy]] of an [[electron]] bound to an [[atom]] (at rest) is said to be quantized, which results in the stability of atoms, and of [[matter]] in general.
As incorporated into the [[theory]] of [[quantum mechanics]], this is regarded by physicists as part of the fundamental framework for understanding and describing [[nature]] at the infinitesimal level, for the very [[practical]] [[reason]] that it works. It is "in the nature of things", not a more or less [[arbitrary]] [[human]] preference.
==References==
# Real-World Quantum Effects Demonstrated February 11, 2005
==Further Reading==
* B. Hoffmann, The Strange Story of the Quantum, Pelican 1963.
* Lucretius, "On the Nature of the Universe", transl. from the Latin by R.E. Latham, Penguin Books Ltd., Harmondsworth 1951. There are, of course, many translations, and the translation's title varies. Some put emphasis on how things work, others on what things are found in nature.
* J. Mehra and H. Rechenberg, The Historical Development of Quantum Theory, Vol.1, Part 1, Springer-Verlag New York Inc., New York 1982.
* M. Planck, A Survey of Physical Theory, transl. by R. Jones and D.H. Williams, Methuen & Co., Ltd., London 1925 (Dover editions 1960 and 1993) including the Nobel lecture.
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: Physics]]
In [[physics]], a '''quantum''' (plural: ''quanta'') is the minimum unit of any [[physical]] [[entity]] involved in an interaction. An example of an entity that is quantized is the [[energy]] transfer of [[elementary]] particles of [[matter]] (called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermions fermions]) and of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photons photons] and other [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosons bosons]. The [[word]] comes from the [[Latin]] "quantus", for "how much." Behind this, one finds the fundamental notion that a physical property may be "quantized", referred to as "quantization". This means that the magnitude can take on only certain discrete numerical values, rather than any value, at least within a range. There is a related term of quantum number.
A photon, for example, is a single quantum of [[light]], and may thus be referred to as a "light quantum". The [[energy]] of an [[electron]] bound to an [[atom]] (at rest) is said to be quantized, which results in the stability of atoms, and of [[matter]] in general.
As incorporated into the [[theory]] of [[quantum mechanics]], this is regarded by physicists as part of the fundamental framework for understanding and describing [[nature]] at the infinitesimal level, for the very [[practical]] [[reason]] that it works. It is "in the nature of things", not a more or less [[arbitrary]] [[human]] preference.
==References==
# Real-World Quantum Effects Demonstrated February 11, 2005
==Further Reading==
* B. Hoffmann, The Strange Story of the Quantum, Pelican 1963.
* Lucretius, "On the Nature of the Universe", transl. from the Latin by R.E. Latham, Penguin Books Ltd., Harmondsworth 1951. There are, of course, many translations, and the translation's title varies. Some put emphasis on how things work, others on what things are found in nature.
* J. Mehra and H. Rechenberg, The Historical Development of Quantum Theory, Vol.1, Part 1, Springer-Verlag New York Inc., New York 1982.
* M. Planck, A Survey of Physical Theory, transl. by R. Jones and D.H. Williams, Methuen & Co., Ltd., London 1925 (Dover editions 1960 and 1993) including the Nobel lecture.
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: Physics]]