Light

Quantum

Definition

In physics, quantum refers to discrete packets or bundles of energy. It is the fundamental unit of energy that can be gained or lost by an atom or subatomic particle.

Analogy

Imagine you have a vending machine that only accepts specific coins, like quarters. Each quarter represents a quantum of energy, and just like you need to insert the right coin to get your snack, atoms and particles can only gain or lose energy in multiples of quanta.

Related terms

Quantum Mechanics: Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at very small scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles.

Photon: A photon is a quantum of light or electromagnetic radiation. It behaves both as a particle and a wave.

Energy Quantization: Energy quantization refers to the concept that energy levels in atoms are discrete rather than continuous, meaning they can only exist at specific values rather than any value within a range.