Quantum Mechanics Glossary(from Nelson Physics 12: 2003) Quantum: the smallest amount of energy that a particle can emit or absorb.
Quantum theory: the theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels.
Wave-particle duality: the property of matter that defines its dual nature of displaying both wave-like and particle-like characteristics.
Work function (w): the minimum energy needed to remove an electron bound to a metal surface.
Photoelectric effect: the phenomenon of electrons being ejected from a material when exposed to electromagnetic radiation.
Threshold frequency (f₀): the minimum frequency at which electrons are ejected from a material.
Photon: a discrete bundle of energy carried by light.
De Broglie wavelength: the wavelength associated with the motion of a particle possessing momentum of magnitude p.
Matter wave: the wave-like behavior of particles with mass.
Antimatter: a form of matter in which each particle has the same mass and an opposite charge as its counterpart in ordinary matter.
Fermions: fundamental particles that forms matter.
Boson: the particle responsible for transmitting electromagnetic strong and weak forces.
Gluon: a particle that mediates the strong nuclear force.
Higgsboson: the theoretical particle thought to play a role in giving mass to other particles.
Theory of everything: a theory that attempts to combine three fundamental forces( weak, strong, and electromagnetic) with gravity into a single theory.