Concept information
Preferred term
quantum fluctuation
Definition(s)
- In quantum physics, a quantum fluctuation (also known as a vacuum state fluctuation or vacuum fluctuation) is the temporary random change in the amount of energy in a point in space, as prescribed by Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. They are minute random fluctuations in the values of the fields which represent elementary particles, such as electric and magnetic fields which represent the electromagnetic force carried by photons, W and Z fields which carry the weak force, and gluon fields which carry the strong force. Vacuum fluctuations appear as virtual particles, which are always created in particle–antiparticle pairs. Since they are created spontaneously without a source of energy, vacuum fluctuations and virtual particles are said to violate the conservation of energy. This is theoretically allowable because the particles annihilate each other within a time limit determined by the uncertainty principle so they are not directly observable. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_fluctuation)
Broader concept(s)
Narrower concept(s)
In other languages
-
French
URI
http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-PF5V63PC-Z
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