Concept
Quantum
Overview
In physics, a quantum (pl.: quanta) is the minimum amount of any physical entity (physical property) involved in an interaction. The fundamental notion that a property can be "quantized" is referred to as "the hypothesis of quantization". This means that the magnitude of the physical property can take on only discrete values consisting of integer multiples of one quantum. For example, a photon is a single quantum of light of a specific frequency (or of any other form of electromagnetic radiation). Similarly, the energy of an electron bound within an atom is quantized and can exist only in certain discrete values. Atoms and matter in general are stable because electrons can exist only at discrete energy levels within an atom. Quantization is one of the foundations of the much broader physics of quantum mechanics. Quantization of energy and its influence on how energy and matter interact (quantum electrodynamics) is part of the fundamental framework for understanding and describing nature.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
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The theory of relativity has justly excited a great amount of public attention. But, for all its importance, it has not been the topic which has chiefly absorbed the recent interest of physicists. Without question that position is held by the quantum theory. The point of interest in this theory is that, according to it, some effects which appear essentially capable of gradual increase or gradual diminution are in…
Alfred North Whitehead, Science and the modern world
The chapter “THE QUANTUM THEORY” is titled for Quantum; states what Quantum is.
Number, in general, is the quantum in its complete specialisation. Hence we may employ it not only to determine what we call discrete, but what are called continuous magnitudes as well. For that reason even geometry must call in the aid of number, when it is required to specify definite figurations of space and their ratios. (c) _Degree._ 103.] The limit (in a quantum) is identical with the whole of the quantum…
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, The Logic of Hegel
States what Quantum is; names Quantum several times.
A quantum of force is just such a quantum of movement, will, action--rather it is nothing else than just those very phenomena of moving, willing, acting, and can only appear otherwise in the misleading errors of language (and the fundamental fallacies of reason which have become petrified therein), which understands, and understands wrongly, all working as conditioned by a worker, by a "subject." And just exactly as…
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, The Genealogy of Morals The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.
States what Quantum is; names Quantum twice.
Philosophers who discussed Quantum
Related ideas
- Fundamental interaction
- Light
- Physical property
- Physics
- Photon
- Quantum mechanics
- Wikisource
- Albert Einstein
- Atom
- Electron
- Energy
Place in the tradition
Part of Deductive-nomological model.