quantum mechanics
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Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that explains how matter and energy behave at the atomic and subatomic level, where the usual rules of everyday physics don't apply. It matters because understanding these tiny-scale behaviors is essential for developing modern technologies like computers, lasers, and medical imaging devices.
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Article
Wave functions of the electron in a hydrogen atom at different energy levels. Quantum mechanics cannot predict the exact location of a particle in space, only the probability of finding it at different locations. The brighter areas represent a higher probability of finding the electron.
Quantum mechanics is the fundamental physical theory that describes the behavior of matter and of light; its unusual characteristics typically occur at and below the scale of atoms. It is the foundation of all quantum physics, which includes quantum chemistry, quantum biology, quantum field theory, quantum technology, and quantum information science.