- Quantum
- The smallest discrete amount of a physical quantity, such as energy, that can exist independently.
- Photon
- A single quantum, or particle, of light or other electromagnetic radiation, carrying energy E = hf.
- Planck's constant
- The fundamental constant h relating the energy of a photon to its frequency (E = hf), with a value of about 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J s.
- Quantum of energy
- A discrete packet of energy equal to hf, the smallest amount that can be gained or lost by radiation of frequency f.
- Photoelectric effect
- The emission of electrons from a metal surface when light of high enough frequency shines on it.
- Work function
- The minimum energy needed to release an electron from the surface of a metal.
- Threshold frequency
- The minimum frequency of light needed to cause the emission of electrons from a particular metal surface.
- Wave-particle duality
- The concept that light and matter can show both wave-like and particle-like properties depending on how they are observed.
- Photoelectron
- An electron emitted from a metal surface as a result of the photoelectric effect.
- Black body radiation
- The electromagnetic radiation emitted by an ideal body that absorbs all radiation falling on it, whose spectrum depends only on its temperature.
What "Quantum Physics" terms cover
This group collects the 10 SPM Physics terms in Quantum Physics. Getting these definitions exactly right is some of the cheapest marks in Paper 2, a "define" or "state" question wants one precise sentence with the correct unit.
The key terms to get right
- Quantum, The smallest discrete amount of a physical quantity, such as energy, that can exist independently.
- Photon, A single quantum, or particle, of light or other electromagnetic radiation, carrying energy E = hf.
- Planck's constant, The fundamental constant h relating the energy of a photon to its frequency (E = hf), with a value of about 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J s.
- Quantum of energy, A discrete packet of energy equal to hf, the smallest amount that can be gained or lost by radiation of frequency f.
- Photoelectric effect, The emission of electrons from a metal surface when light of high enough frequency shines on it.
- Work function, The minimum energy needed to release an electron from the surface of a metal.
- Threshold frequency, The minimum frequency of light needed to cause the emission of electrons from a particular metal surface.
- Wave-particle duality, The concept that light and matter can show both wave-like and particle-like properties depending on how they are observed.
- Photoelectron, An electron emitted from a metal surface as a result of the photoelectric effect.
- Black body radiation, The electromagnetic radiation emitted by an ideal body that absorbs all radiation falling on it, whose spectrum depends only on its temperature.
How this vocabulary is examined
These terms appear as define/state items in Paper 1 and Paper 2, and inside explain and calculate questions where using the wrong word costs marks. Learn each term with its unit and one example of correct use.
Source: DSKP KSSM Physics Form 4 and 5 (Versi English) (Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum (BPK), KPM)