quantum mechanics

noun

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: a theory of matter that is based on the concept of the possession of wave properties by elementary particles, that affords a mathematical interpretation of the structure and interactions of matter on the basis of these properties, and that incorporates within it quantum theory and the uncertainty principle

called also wave mechanics

quantum mechanical adjective

quantum mechanically adverb

Examples of quantum mechanics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The idea that two fundamental scientific mysteries—the origin of consciousness and the collapse of what is called the wave function in quantum mechanics—are related, triggered enormous excitement. —Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024

The results showed that the world bore out the predictions of quantum mechanics, showing correlations that remained far stronger than Bell’s inequality allowed. —Quanta Magazine, 30 July 2024

The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum mechanics. —William Mark Stuckey, The Conversation, 30 July 2024

Different atomic elements absorb and emit light at very specific colors (the electrons zipping around the atom’s nucleus can only absorb discrete amounts of energy, a fact that gave rise to the development of quantum mechanics in the first place). —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

quantum mechanics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: a theory of matter that is based on the concept of the possession of wave properties by elementary particles, that affords a mathematical interpretation of the structure and interactions of matter on the basis of these properties, and that incorporates within it quantum theory and the uncertainty principle

called also wave mechanics

quantum mechanical adjective

quantum mechanically adverb