quantum mechanics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

Definition of quantum mechanics

: 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

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Examples of quantum mechanics in a Sentence

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However, quantum mechanics paved the way for today’s economy with its dependence on computer chips. — Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Blazing a trail: UW professor's dream leads to breakthrough in identifying origin of cosmic rays," 12 July 2018 Working out relativity's problems was also viewed as a necessary precondition for unifying it with quantum mechanics, a problem people were interested in working on. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Gravitational waves and the slow pace of scientific revolutions," 30 June 2018 General relativity is really good at describing everything that is large, and quantum mechanics is about small things, like single atoms. — Sophia Chen, WIRED, "The Quest to Make Super Cold Quantum Blobs in Space," 25 June 2018 Enrico Fermi was an architect of the atomic bomb, a father of radioactivity research, and a Nobel Prize–winning scientist who contributed to breakthroughs in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics. — Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, "But, Seriously, Where Is Everybody?," 22 June 2018 Monroe is conversant in everything from quantum mechanics to evolution to cosmetology, and then can connect it all to the state of uncertainty that art museums across the country are currently facing. — Jackie Mansky, Smithsonian, "The Neuroscientist in the Art Museum," 19 June 2018 The middle is where the mathematics of Einstein and quantum mechanics collide, and in that collision there are fireworks and the equations just fall apart. — Denise Chow /, NBC News, "Physicist Brian Greene on the three biggest science mysteries he'd like to see solved," 10 June 2018 Twenty-four of the world’s leading scientists — including Edward Teller, J. Robert Oppenheimer, John von Neumann and Richard Feynman — gathered to discuss the foundations of quantum mechanics. — Julie Lasky, New York Times, "Shelter Island, N.Y.: A Paradise That Has Its Challenges," 16 May 2018 Most of quantum mechanics deals with probabilities rather than certainties. — James Gleick, New York Times, "What Does Quantum Physics Actually Tell Us About the World?," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quantum mechanics.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.