why do people use the word quantum as a big step / leap forward, when quantum is the study of a very small things ?
2006-10-31 08:49:10 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Because quantum refers to a discreet shift from one state to another eg of the energy level of an electron (an electon exists at one energy level or another but not at any point in between).
It's used to suggest that a change represents something completely new ie it is utterly different to what went before and not simply the gradual development of what existed previously. As such it can be used to describe changes on both a micro scale and also a macro level.
2006-11-01 22:12:45 · answer #1 · answered by beb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quantum means a definite jump, usually that of an electron in an atom.
2006-11-01 04:51:05 · answer #2 · answered by Iain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its the objective observation of the finite.
Its is a big step in so much as it attempts through theories to bridge the finite with the infinite.
Much like the religions profess, but without killing and fighting.
2006-11-01 09:12:41 · answer #3 · answered by sotu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think the use of the term is a malapropism, based on the idea of "Quantum theory" being a huge step in human understanding of physics.
2006-11-02 10:37:55 · answer #4 · answered by Bren 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quantum is actually a unit of a quantity (unspecified unit measure). It can be large or small.
People use it because it sounds intellectual.
2006-10-31 09:22:26 · answer #5 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AHHH, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN U SPLIT A TINY THING LIKE AN ATOM??? AN EARTH SHATTERING KABOOOM!!!!!
THAT WORD IS USUALLY USED IN THE TERM "QUANTUM LEAP" OR "QUANTUM PHYSICS." IT ACTUALLY REFERS TO TIME IN RELATION TO EVERYTHING ELSE. LATER DUDE!!!
2006-10-31 09:01:19 · answer #6 · answered by thundergnome 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Quantum in physics is INFINITELY bigger then "infinitely small" amount of space that was hypothesized.
2006-10-31 09:42:05 · answer #7 · answered by hq3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know,
i'm of quantum use here......nice question.
2006-10-31 09:05:58 · answer #8 · answered by mrtootes7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For simple reason
Simple and easy doesn't attract the mind.
2006-10-31 21:01:55 · answer #9 · answered by kiko 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of a little within tiny of shiny?
2006-10-31 10:14:14 · answer #10 · answered by Moanika 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋