Meaning & use
quantum
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Meanings
nouncountabletechnicalphysics
The smallest amount of energy or another physical quantity that can exist on its own, according to modern physics.
Grammar: Countable with the plural quanta: a quantum of light.
Patterns
- a quantum of something
Light is released in tiny packets, and each packet is a quantum of energy.
A quantum cannot be divided into smaller parts.
The theory says energy is exchanged one quantum at a time.
adjectivebefore a nountechnicalphysics
Relating to the physics of atoms and the tiny particles inside them, where energy comes in separate units.
Grammar: Comes before a noun and is not compared: quantum physics, not more quantum.
Patterns
- quantum physics
- quantum computer
She is studying quantum mechanics at university.
A quantum computer uses the rules of atomic physics to process information.
The team ran a quantum experiment using single photons.
nouncountableformallegal
A specific amount or share of something, often a sum of money, especially in legal writing.
Grammar: Formal; found mainly in law and finance: the quantum of damages.
Patterns
- the quantum of damages
The court must decide the quantum of damages after finding the company liable.
The parties agreed on the quantum of the settlement.
Word forms
| plural | quanta |
|---|
Common combinations
- quantum physics
- Quantum physics explains how electrons behave.
- quantum mechanics
- Quantum mechanics is a cornerstone of modern science.
- quantum leap
- The new design was a quantum leap in battery life.
- quantum computing
- Quantum computing may someday solve problems that are too hard for ordinary machines.
- quantum of damages
- The judge set the quantum of damages at fifty thousand dollars.
- quantum theory
- Quantum theory emerged in the early twentieth century.
Synonyms and how they differ
- packet
- Packet is an informal way to picture a quantum of energy, but it is not used as the scientific term.
- unit
- Unit is general and can refer to any measure, while quantum implies the smallest indivisible portion.
- amount
- Amount is the everyday word for any quantity, whereas quantum is formal and often used in legal writing.
- portion
- Portion suggests a part of a whole, but it lacks the sense of a smallest possible unit.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: quantum or quantity? quantum or quantum leap?
quantum vs quantity
Quantity means an amount of something, and has nothing special to do with physics. A quantum is the smallest possible amount of a quantity.
quantum vs quantum leap
In physics a quantum leap is a tiny jump by an electron, but in everyday speech it means a huge, sudden advance.
Practice
In ordinary speech, a 'quantum leap' in a company's sales means ___.
Choose one answer.
Everyday usage treats a quantum leap as a dramatic jump forward. The physics meaning is a tiny change, which is why the small-change option is tempting.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “quantum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.