quantize

[ kwon-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, quan·tized, quan·tiz·ing.

1. Mathematics, Physics. to restrict (a variable quantity) to discrete values rather than to a continuous set of values.
2. Physics. to change the description of (a physical system) from classical to quantum-mechanical, usually resulting in discrete values for observable quantities, as energy or angular momentum.

quantize

/ ˈkwɒntaɪz /

verb

1. physics to restrict (a physical quantity) to one of a set of values characterized by quantum numbers
2. maths to limit (a variable) to values that are integral multiples of a basic unit

quantize

/ kwŏn′tīz′ /

1. To limit a variable or variables describing a physical system to discrete, distinct values. For example, the energy of electromagnetic radiation such as light at a given frequency must be an integer multiple of hν, where ν is the frequency and h is a Planck's constant; electromagnetic energy is thus inherently quantized (in this case, photons are the quanta of energy). The distinct orbitals of electrons in an atom are also a case of quantized energy. Many apparently continuous phenomena turn out to be quantized at a very fine level or very small scale; quantum mechanics was developed in large part to explain many unexpected cases of quantization in the natural world.

Derived Forms

• ˌquantiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• quan·ti·za·tion [kwon-tahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantize¹

First recorded in 1920–25; quant(um) + -ize

Example Sentences

"Similarly, in these nucleonic quantum dots, a single neutron can be trapped by a nanocrystal, with a size well beyond the range of the nuclear force, and display similar quantized energies."

From Science Daily

It is especially notable to this process that the emergent composite fermion particle is unique in that the electron captures six quantized magnetic flux quanta, forming the most intricate composite fermion known to date.

From Science Daily

This phenomenon, known as the quantum Hall effect, originates from the same quantized energy levels of the electrons in the circular orbits discussed above.

From Science Daily

Under this theory, spacetime itself would become quantized, which would allow scientists to understand the behavior of large-scale spacetime through a quantum lens.

From Scientific American

The song is measured and quantized, but thoroughly obsessional.

From New York Times