quanticles

Categories: Site glossary

an alternative term for submicroscopic entities (ions, molecules, electrons, etc.) where their wave properties are important, as well as their 'particle' properties, given that learners often think the word 'particles' refers to the scale of a powder grain or dust speck. The term quanticle was suggested for use in teaching. Some scientists have suggested the term 'quanton'.

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.