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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.

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.