In physics, a quantum leap or quantum jump is a change of an electron from one energy state to another within an atom. Physics (Greek Physis - φύσις in everyday terms is the Science of Matter and its motion. The electron is a fundamental Subatomic particle that was identified and assigned the negative charge in 1897 by J History See also Atomic theory, Atomism The concept that matter is composed of discrete units and cannot be divided into arbitrarily tiny It is discontinuous; the electron jumps from one energy level to another instantaneously. The phenomenon contradicts classical theories, which expect energy levels to be continuous. Classical theory has at least two distinct meanings in Physics: In the context of Quantum mechanics, "classical theory" refers to Quantum leaps are the sole cause of the emission of electromagnetic radiation, including that of light, which occurs in the form of quantized units called photons. Electromagnetic radiation takes the form of self-propagating Waves in a Vacuum or in Matter. In Physics, the photon is the Elementary particle responsible for electromagnetic phenomena

Popular usage

In the vernacular, the term quantum leap has come to mean an abrupt change or "step change", especially an advance or augmentation. Vernacular refers to the Native language of a country or a locality The term dates back to early-to-mid-20th century, coinciding with the discoveries of quantum mechanics. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on The popular and scientific terms are similar in that both describe a change that happens all at once (revolutionary), rather than gradually over time (evolutionary), but the two uses are different when it comes to the magnitude of the change or advance in question.

In real physical systems a quantum leap is not necessarily a large change, and can in fact be very insignificant. A good example of this can be taken from the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, where the observed energy shifts associated with shifts of different quantum states (quantum leaps) span a wide range from large to small (when compared to the energy required to completely free an electron). In Atomic physics, the Bohr model created by Niels Bohr depicts the Atom as a small positively charged nucleus surrounded by Electrons In the popular sense, the term is usually applied to mean a large or significant change, which is thus not strictly correct.

See also: Sinclair QL

See also

• Fluorescence
• Phosphorescence
• Stimulated emission

External links

• Are there quantum jumps?
• "There are no quantum jumps, nor are there particles!" by H. The Sinclair QL (for Quantum Leap) was a Personal computer launched by Sinclair Research in 1984 as the successor to the ZX Spectrum Fluorescence is a Luminescence that is mostly found as an Phosphorescence is a specific type of Photoluminescence related to fluorescence. In Optics, stimulated emission is the process by which an electron perturbed by a Photon having the correct energy may drop to a lower Energy level resulting D. Zeh, Physics Letters A172, 189 (1993).