Quantum Mechanics Glossary

noun a subatomic particle such as an electron or a proton

adjective relating to elementary particles

• An elementary particle is a subatomic particle with no substructure.
• Scientists study tiny things called elementary particles to understand the building blocks of the universe.
• You won't believe how small elementary particles are!
• In the grand scheme of the universe, we are all just like elementary particles moving around in chaos.

noun a particle representing a quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation

• A photon is a basic unit of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
• Did you know that a photon is the smallest possible quantity of light?
• I heard that photons are like tiny packets of energy zipping around everywhere.
• Her smile was like a photon, brightening up the room with its energy.

noun a unit of information in quantum computing, equivalent to a classical bit but existing in a superposition of states

• A qubit is the basic unit of quantum information in quantum computing.
• I heard that qubits are like the building blocks of quantum computers.
• Qubits are like the super smart bits in quantum stuff.
• Think of a qubit as a magical coin that can be in multiple states at once.