lassical physics
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The four major domains of modern physics
Classical physics refers to theories of physics that predate modern, more complete, or
more widely applicable theories. If a currently accepted theory is considered to be
modern, and its introduction represented a major paradigm shift, then the previous
theories, or new theories based on the older paradigm, will often be referred to as
belonging to the realm of "classical physics".
As such, the definition of a classical theory depends on context. Classical physical
concepts are often used when modern theories are unnecessarily complex for a
particular situation. Most usually classical physics refers to pre-1900 physics,
while modern physics refers to post-1900 physics which incorporates elements
of quantum mechanics and relativity.[1]
Contents
1Overview
2Comparison with modern physics
3Computer modeling and manual calculation, modern and classic comparison
4See also
5References
Overview[edit]
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Classical theory has at least two distinct meanings in physics. In the context of quantum
mechanics, classical theory refers to theories of physics that do not use
the quantisation paradigm, which includes classical mechanics and relativity.
[2]
Likewise, classical field theories, such as general relativity and classical
electromagnetism, are those that do not use quantum mechanics.[3] In the context of
general and special relativity, classical theories are those that obey Galilean relativity.[4]
Depending on point of view, among the branches of theory sometimes included in
classical physics are variably:
Classical mechanics
o Newton's laws of motion
o Classical Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms
Classical electrodynamics (Maxwell's Equations)
Classical thermodynamics
Special relativity and general relativity
Classical chaos theory and nonlinear dynamics
Comparison with modern physics[edit]
In contrast to classical physics, "modern physics" is a slightly looser term which may
refer to just quantum physics or to 20th and 21st century physics in general. Modern
physics includes quantum theory and relativity, when applicable.
A physical system can be described by classical physics when it satisfies conditions
such that the laws of classical physics are approximately valid. In practice, physical
objects ranging from those larger than atoms and molecules, to objects in the
macroscopic and astronomical realm, can be well-described (understood) with classical
mechanics. Beginning at the atomic level and lower, the laws of classical physics break
down and generally do not provide a correct description of nature. Electromagnetic
fields and forces can be described well by classical electrodynamics at length scales
and field strengths large enough that quantum mechanical effects are negligible. Unlike
quantum physics, classical physics is generally characterized by the principle of
complete determinism, although deterministic interpretations of quantum mechanics do
exist.
From the point of view of classical physics as being non-relativistic physics, the
predictions of general and special relativity are significantly different from those of
classical theories, particularly concerning the passage of time, the geometry of space,
the motion of bodies in free fall, and the propagation of light. Traditionally, light was
reconciled with classical mechanics by assuming the existence of a stationary medium
through which light propagated, the luminiferous aether, which was later shown not to
exist.
Mathematically, classical physics equations are those in which Planck's constant does
not appear. According to the correspondence principle and Ehrenfest's theorem, as a
system becomes larger or more massive the classical dynamics tends to emerge, with
some exceptions, such as superfluidity. This is why we can usually ignore quantum
mechanics when dealing with everyday objects and the classical description will suffice.
However, one of the most vigorous on-going fields of research in physics is classical-
quantum correspondence. This field of research is concerned with the discovery of how
the laws of quantum physics give rise to classical physics found at the limit of the large
scales of the classical level.
Computer modeling and manual calculation, modern and
classic comparison[edit]
A computer model would use quantum theory and relativistic theory only
Today a computer performs millions of arithmetic operations in seconds to solve a
classical differential equation, while Newton (one of the fathers of the differential
calculus) would take hours to solve the same equation by manual calculation, even if he
were the discoverer of that particular equation.
Computer modeling is essential for quantum and relativistic physics. Classic physics is
considered the limit of quantum mechanics for large number of particles. On the other
hand, classic mechanics is derived from relativistic mechanics. For example, in many
formulations from special relativity, a correction factor (v/c) 2 appears, where v is the
velocity of the object and c is the speed of light. For velocities much smaller than that of
light, one can neglect the terms with c2 and higher that appear. These formulas then
reduce to the standard definitions of Newtonian kinetic energy and momentum. This is
as it should be, for special relativity must agree with Newtonian mechanics at low
velocities. Computer modeling has to be as real as possible. Classical physics would
introduce an error as in the superfluidity case. In order to produce reliable models of the
world, one can not use classic physics. It is true that quantum theories consume time
and computer resources, and the equations of classical physics could be resorted to
provide a quick solution, but such a solution would lack reliability.
Computer modeling would use only the energy criteria to determine which theory to use:
relativity or quantum theory, when attempting to describe the behavior of an object. A
physicist would use a classical model to provide an approximation before more exacting
models are applied and those calculations proceed.
In a computer model, there is no need to use the speed of the object if classical physics
is excluded. Low energy objects would be handled by quantum theory and high energy
objects by relativity theory.[5][6][7]
