Quantization is the process of converting a continuous range of values into a finite range of discrete values. This is commonly used in digital systems, where analog signals, like sound or light, are transformed into digital data that computers can process. By breaking down continuous signals into specific levels, quantization allows for easier storage and manipulation of information. In physics, quantization refers to the idea that certain properties, such as energy, can only take on specific values rather than any value. This concept is fundamental in quantum mechanics, where particles like electrons exist in defined energy states. Quantization helps explain phenomena at the atomic and subatomic levels.