Classical Physics
Classical Physics
Contributions by Anika Jones Fall 2022
Classical physics encompasses the theories of mechanics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics that help explain a large part of the everyday things that go on around us on a macroscopic scale, which predates Modern Physic theories of quantum and relativity that explains things that are on the smaller, microscopic level.
In classical physics, observations about things can be seen using the human senses. For example, Newton’s observation that gravity caused things to fall to the ground leading to his three physics laws that are still relevant today. Classical physics helps to answer the whys about the things that we observe and experience in the world around us, from the path of the sun in the sky to the reaction of boiling a pot of water.
Classical physics laid the groundwork for modern physics theories to understand those things around us that we can not see in the traditional way but observed behaviors that are happening on a microscopic level.
Examples
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Connectedness
This topic explained difference between classical and modern physics
- How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
- How is it connected to your major?
- Is there an interesting industrial application?
History
Classical Physics predates 1900 physics theories that help us understand phenomena around us, all thanks to works of Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and James Maxwell just to name a few. From their observations and research, we have a better understanding of how and why things operate the way they do around us that led to technological advances that we enjoy today in making a way of life easier.
Without any fancy and high-tech equipment, these scientists use simple observations and equipment to build the foundation of physics as we know it today that has been proven over hundreds of years to still be valid. From Newton’s law that force is equal to mass times acceleration to Maxwell’s equation for electromagnetism. Without their contributions our world today would look a lot different.
See also
For further exploration, see related topics in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics. These topics are what make up the theories of classical physics.
Further reading
Jefimenko, O. (1989). Electricity and Magnetism. An Introduction to the Theory of Electric and Magnetic Fields (2nd ed.). Electret Scientific. ISBN 978-0917406089. Jefimenko, Oleg D.; Major, Schwab S. (November 1967). "Electricity and Magnetism". American Journal of Physics. 35 (11): 1100–1101. Bibcode:1967AmJPh..35.1100J. doi:10.1119/1.1973766. hdl:10821/2745. ISSN 0002-9505.
Morin, David (2005). Introduction to Classical Mechanics: With Problems and Solutions. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521876223.
Taylor, John (2005). Classical Mechanics. University Science Books. ISBN 189138922X.
Van Ness, H. C. (1983). Understanding Thermodynamics. Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0486632773.
External links
https://kids.kiddle.co/Classical_physics
References
1. Harris, Randy. Modern Physics. San Francisco, CA: Pearson 2008. Print.
2. Kleppner, Daniel, and Kolenkow, Robert. An Introduction to Mechanics. Cambridge University Press 2010. Print.
