quantum
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.the smallest possible unit of energy, such as light.
n.the smallest discrete unit of a physical quantity, such as energy or momentum.
Simple“In physics, a photon is a single quantum of light.”
In context“The theory proposes that energy is not continuous but is instead emitted in discrete packets known as quanta.”
UsageThe plural form is 'quanta'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a specific amount or the total quantity of something.
n.a required or allowed amount; the total sum or quantity of something.
Simple“The court had to decide the quantum of damages the company should pay.”
In context“The judge spent several hours determining the appropriate quantum of compensation for the claimant's loss of earnings.”
UsageCommonly used in legal contexts regarding money or damages.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.used to describe a change that is very sudden, big, or important.
adj.relating to a sudden, significant, or discrete change that moves something to a higher level.
Simple“The new invention was a quantum leap in mobile phone technology.”
In context“The transition from steam power to electricity represented a quantum shift in industrial productivity.”
Teacher's tipOften used in the fixed phrase 'quantum leap' or 'quantum shift' to mean a huge improvement.
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
adj.relating to the branch of physics that studies very small particles.
adj.pertaining to quantum mechanics or the subatomic properties of matter and energy.
Simple“Scientists are working hard to build the first reliable quantum computer.”
In context“Quantum entanglement remains one of the most counterintuitive phenomena in modern theoretical physics.”
Usage quantum computing · quantum systems · quantum computer
“His research is the bluest of blue-sky: he uses quantum computers to predict how sub-atomic particles behave.”
“Physicists have found a new way to peer inside one of matter’s most elusive quantum states: the Wigner crystal, where electrons stop behaving like independent particles and organize into a crystal-like pattern.”
From Late Latin quantum, noun use of neuter form of Latin quantus (“how much”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.