What does 'quantum' mean?

Question

I've heard it used to mean the tradeoff in the amount of two variables. For e.g.: The quantum for the redemption shall be that 5 tickets can be exchanged for 3 chocolate bars. Is the usage of quantum here accurate? And if not, what is the correct word that should be used in place of quantum? Also, what does quantum mean exactly then? Would really appreciate some insight on the matter. Thanks all!

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

AnonymousThe quantum for the redemption shall be that 5 tickets can be exchanged for 3 chocolate bars. Is the usage of quantum here accurate?

I've never heard it used that way.

The exchange rate between tickets and chocolate bars is five for three.

Quantum mechanics / quantum physics is a science that studies matter at the sub-atomic level.
The theory states that energy at these scales is nonlinear and discrete. A quantum is a discrete minimum quantity that will be transferred during an interaction, such as an electron absorbing or emitting a photon. The amount of energy in a quantum depends on the frequency of the radiation carrying the energy; it is equal to the frequency (in hertz) multiplied by Planck's constant, 6.626 069 x 10-34 joule second (J·s). The word "quantum" is also used in other contexts where physical quantities occur as multiples of a discrete unit. For example, the quantum of electric charge is e, the charge on a single electron. (Much of this definition was taken from an on-line science dictionary.)

What does 'quantum' mean?

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