Classical mechanics
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| [[Image:Drawing by Étienne-Louis Boullée (1728 - 1799) .jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Cenotaph for Newton]]'' ([[1784]]) by French architect [[Étienne-Louis Boullée]]]] | [[Image:Drawing by Étienne-Louis Boullée (1728 - 1799) .jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Cenotaph for Newton]]'' ([[1784]]) by French architect [[Étienne-Louis Boullée]]]] | ||
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| - | Sir '''Isaac Newton''', ([[January 4]], [[1642]] - [[March 31]], [[1727]]), was an English [[Scientist]], [[philosopher]], [[mathematician]], and [[alchemist]] who published the ''Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica'', more commonly referred to as the [[Principia Mathematica|Principia]], where he described the laws of [[gravity]] (see [[Law of nature]]) and, via his [[Newton's laws of motion|laws of motion]], laid the ground work for the field of [[Classical Mechanics]]. He is often ranked as the greatest scientist of all time. | + | |
| + | In the fields of [[physics]], '''classical mechanics''' is one of the two major sub-fields of study in the science of [[mechanics]], which is concerned with the set of [[physical law]]s governing and mathematically describing the motions of [[physical body|bodies]] and aggregates of bodies geometrically distributed within a certain boundary under the action of a system of forces. The other sub-field is [[quantum mechanics]]. | ||
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| + | Classical mechanics is used for describing the motion of [[macroscopic]] objects, from [[projectiles]] to parts of [[machinery]], as well as [[astronomical objects]], such as [[spacecraft]], [[planets]], [[star]]s, and [[galaxies]]. It produces very accurate results within these domains, and is one of the oldest and largest subjects in [[science]], [[engineering]] and [[technology]]. | ||
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| + | Besides this, many related specialties exist, dealing with [[gas]]es, [[liquid]]s, and [[solid]]s, and so on. Classical mechanics is enhanced by [[special relativity]] for objects moving with high [[velocity]], approaching the [[speed of light]]; [[general relativity]] is employed to handle [[gravitation]] at a deeper level; and [[quantum mechanics]] handles the [[wave-particle duality]] of [[atom]]s and [[molecule]]s. | ||
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| + | The term ''classical mechanics'' was coined in the early 20th century to describe the system of mathematical physics begun by [[Isaac Newton]] and many contemporary 17th century [[natural philosophers]], building upon the earlier astronomical theories of [[Johannes Kepler]], which in turn were based on the precise observations of [[Tycho Brahe]] and the studies of terrestrial [[projectile motion]] of [[Galileo Galilei|Galileo]], but before the development of quantum physics and relativity. Therefore, some sources exclude so-called "[[Theory of relativity|relativistic physics]]" from that category. However, a number of modern sources ''do'' include [[Theory of relativity|Einstein's mechanics]], which in their view represents ''classical mechanics'' in its most developed and most accurate form. | ||
| + | <!--The notion of “classical“ may be somewhat confusing, insofar as this term usually refers to the era of [[classical antiquity]] in [[European history]]. While many discoveries within the [[mathematics]] of that period remain in full force today, and of the greatest use, the same cannot be said about its "science". This in no way belittles the many important developments, especially within technology, which took place in antiquity and during the [[Middle Ages]] in Europe and elsewhere. | ||
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| + | However, the emergence of classical mechanics was a decisive stage in the development of [[science]], in the modern sense of the term. What characterizes it, above all, is its insistence on [[mathematics]] (rather than [[speculation]]), and its reliance on [[experiment]] (rather than [[observation]]). With classical mechanics it was established how to formulate [[quantitative]] predictions in [[theory]], and how to test them by carefully designed [[measurement]]. The emerging globally cooperative endeavor increasingly provided for much closer scrutiny and testing, both of theory and experiment. This was, and remains, a key factor in establishing certain knowledge, and in bringing it to the service of society. History shows how closely the health and wealth of a society depends on nurturing this investigative and critical approach. --> | ||
| + | The initial stage in the development of classical mechanics is often referred to as [[Newtonian mechanics]], and is associated with the physical concepts employed by and the mathematical methods invented by [[Isaac Newton|Newton]] himself, in parallel with [[Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz|Leibniz]], and others. This is further described in the following sections. More abstract and general methods include [[Lagrangian mechanics]] and [[Hamiltonian mechanics]]. Much of the content of classical mechanics was created in the 18th and 19th centuries and extends considerably beyond (particularly in its use of analytical mathematics) the work of [[Isaac Newton|Newton]]. | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Clockwork universe theory]] | ||
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In the fields of physics, classical mechanics is one of the two major sub-fields of study in the science of mechanics, which is concerned with the set of physical laws governing and mathematically describing the motions of bodies and aggregates of bodies geometrically distributed within a certain boundary under the action of a system of forces. The other sub-field is quantum mechanics.
Classical mechanics is used for describing the motion of macroscopic objects, from projectiles to parts of machinery, as well as astronomical objects, such as spacecraft, planets, stars, and galaxies. It produces very accurate results within these domains, and is one of the oldest and largest subjects in science, engineering and technology.
Besides this, many related specialties exist, dealing with gases, liquids, and solids, and so on. Classical mechanics is enhanced by special relativity for objects moving with high velocity, approaching the speed of light; general relativity is employed to handle gravitation at a deeper level; and quantum mechanics handles the wave-particle duality of atoms and molecules.
The term classical mechanics was coined in the early 20th century to describe the system of mathematical physics begun by Isaac Newton and many contemporary 17th century natural philosophers, building upon the earlier astronomical theories of Johannes Kepler, which in turn were based on the precise observations of Tycho Brahe and the studies of terrestrial projectile motion of Galileo, but before the development of quantum physics and relativity. Therefore, some sources exclude so-called "relativistic physics" from that category. However, a number of modern sources do include Einstein's mechanics, which in their view represents classical mechanics in its most developed and most accurate form. The initial stage in the development of classical mechanics is often referred to as Newtonian mechanics, and is associated with the physical concepts employed by and the mathematical methods invented by Newton himself, in parallel with Leibniz, and others. This is further described in the following sections. More abstract and general methods include Lagrangian mechanics and Hamiltonian mechanics. Much of the content of classical mechanics was created in the 18th and 19th centuries and extends considerably beyond (particularly in its use of analytical mathematics) the work of Newton.
See also
