quantum jump
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quantum jump
n.
1. Abrupt change from one energy level to another, especially such a change in the orbit of an electron with the loss or gain of a quantum of energy.
2. A quantum leap.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
quan′tum jump′
n.
1. an abrupt transition of a system described by quantum mechanics from one discrete state to another, as the fall of an electron to an orbit of lower energy.
2. any sudden and significant change, advance, or increase.
Also called quan′tum leap′.[1925–30]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | quantum jump - (physics) an abrupt transition of an electron or atom or molecule from one quantum state to another with the emission or absorption of a quantum natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" |
2. | quantum jump - a sudden large increase or advance; "this may not insure success but it will represent a quantum leap from last summer" |
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