quantum jump

noun

1. Physics. an abrupt transition of a system described by quantum mechanics from one of its discrete states to another, as the fall of an electron in an atom to an orbit of lower energy.
2. any sudden and significant change, advance, or increase.

quantum jump

1. A change from one quantum state to another, as when an electron orbiting a nucleus moves from one shell to another with the loss or gain of a quantum of energy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum jump¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

The connection can be weak, in which case a quantum jump can also be predictable through the pause in clicks from the qubit’s side activity, in the way used by the Yale experiment.

From Scientific American

Sen has often criticized Modi’s sectarianism and has said that his government has “taken a quantum jump in the wrong direction” on poverty and health care.

From The New Yorker

“With peace we will have a quantum jump in our production,” said Jordan, gesturing to a plot of seedlings in bags about to be planted.

From Seattle Times

A quantum jump — when an electron leaps from one atomic energy level to the next — is “neither instantaneous nor as fully random as we thought it was”,' says physicist Zlatko Minev and his colleagues.

From Nature

While a lot has to go right for a team that finished 27-55 to make a quantum jump, the Bulls showed flashes when they won 10 of 12 games in December.

From Seattle Times