Q - (1) Figure of merit of efficiency of a circuit or coil. (2) Ratio of inductive
reactance to resistance in servos. (3) Relationship between stored energy (capacitance)
and rate of dissipation in certain types of electric elements, structures, or materials .
QUALITY (OF SOUND) - The factor that distinguishes tones of pitch and loudness .
QUANTIZED WAVE - A wave created by the arbitrary division of the entire range of
amplitude (or frequency, or phase) values of an analog wave into a series of standard
values. Each sample takes the standard value nearest its actual value when modulated .
QUANTIZING NOISE - A distortion introduced by quantizing the signal .
QUANTUM-MECHANICAL TUNNELING - The action of an electron crossing a PN junction because
of tunnel effect .
QUARTER-WAVE ANTENNA - Same as the MARCONI ANTENNA .
QUIESCENCE - (1) The state of an amplifier with no signal applied. (2) The operating
conditions that exist in a circuit when no input signal is applied to the circuit [71 .
QUIESCENT STATE - The period during which a transistor, tube, or other circuit element
is not performing an active function in the circuit .
