Quantum

A quantum is the smallest increment into which many physical properties are subdivided.

Most commonly, quanta are the fundamental units of something measurable. Energy, for example, is quantized into photons, wavelike packets of fixed frequency.

Etymology

The word quantum comes from the Latin word for "quantity".

See also

• Quantum mechanics
• Quantum state
• Quantum number
• Quantum cryptography
• Quantum electronics
• Quantum computing
• Magnetic flux quantum