quantum

• Nom désignant une quantité discrète et indivisible d'une propriété physique, comme l'énergie ou le moment cinétique, représentant la plus petite unité possible dans un contexte donné. S'emploie aussi pour toute quantité minimale ou saut discontinu.

A noun referring to a discrete quantity of something, especially in physics, where it denotes the smallest possible unit of a physical property such as energy or angular momentum.

1. Discrete quantityC1formalscientific

   A specific, indivisible amount of something, especially energy, that is analogous to the quantities described in quantum theory.

   Quantum (quantité discrète)

   • Each quantum of light energy is called a photon.
   • The system can only absorb energy in fixed quanta.
   • Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of matter at the smallest scales.

   Synonymesamountincrementmeasurepacketportionunit

2. Smallest physical unitC1formalscientific

   In physics, the smallest discrete quantity of a physical property, such as energy or angular momentum, that a system can possess according to quantum theory.

   quantum

   • The quantum of action is a fundamental constant in physics.
   • Electrons can only occupy specific energy levels, each representing a quantum.
   • Quantum theory revolutionized our understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.