Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Max Planck was a German theoretical physicist who is best known for his work in quantum theory, which revolutionized our understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.
Related terms
Quantum Theory: This is a branch of physics that deals with phenomena on a very small scale (like atoms). It's like the rule book for how particles behave at this level.
A photon is a particle representing a quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation. It carries energy proportional to the radiation frequency but has zero rest mass. Imagine it as an invisible courier delivering packets of light energy from one place to another.
This concept in quantum mechanics suggests that every particle or quantic entity may be described as both a particle and wave. Like being able to play two roles in a movie, particles can act as both individual actors (particles) and crowd scenes (waves).