What is "q-ball"

n. A charged soliton that represents the lowest possible energy state of its components and is therefore stable.

In theoretical physics, Q-ball refers to a type of non-topological soliton. A soliton is a localized field configuration that is stable—it cannot spread out and dissipate. In the case of a non-topological soliton, the stability is guaranteed by a conserved charge: the soliton has lower energy per unit charge than any other configuration. (In physics, charge is often represented by the letter "Q", and the soliton is spherically symmetric, hence the name.)

Q-ball or Q Ball may refer to:

• Q-ball, a hypothetical form of matter (namely, a non-topological soliton), in theoretical physics
• Q-Ball, DJ and background vocalist of the band The Bloodhound Gang
• Q Ball, the nickname of the dynamic pressure (Q) sensor module in the Apollo spacecraft launch escape system
• Q-ball, a slang term for the drug quetiapine