Because there were a couple of things observed that were inexplicable with classical physics, namely:
Blackbody radiation - Radiated energy doesn't continually increase as the frequency of the radiation increases. Classically, this relationship is given by the Rayleigh-Jeans Law, however, this law goes to infinity as frequency goes to infinity.
The Photoelectric Effect - The energy of electrons emitted from a surface when a light is shined on it had nothing to do with the light's intensity, just it's frequency.
Quantizing electromagnetic energy was the only way to explain these phenomena.
Quantum Mechanics "replaced" Classical Mechanics in particle physics in mid-1930s.
Physics Branches: Classical Mechanics Mathematical Physics Classical Electrodynamics Quantum Mechanics Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Condensed Matter Physics Nuclear Physics Quantum Field theory Non-Linear Dynamics Astronomy and Astrophysics General Theory of Relativity and Cosmology
Physics Branches: Classical Mechanics Mathematical Physics Classical Electrodynamics Quantum Mechanics Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Condensed Matter Physics Nuclear Physics Quantum Field theory Non-Linear Dynamics Astronomy and Astrophysics General Theory of Relativity and Cosmology
Mechanics Electromagnetism Optics Thermodynamics Fluid mechanics
Mechanics Electromagnetism Optics Thermodynamics Fluid Mechanics
There are six divisions of physics. There are classical mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, electromagnetism, relativity, quantum mechanics, and interdisciplinary fields.
classical mechanics,relativity and electromagnetism
classical mechanics,relativity and electromagnetism
Classical physics is the physics without considering quantum mechanics. This is the type of physics practiced by for example Newton (you might also come across the term Newtonian physics). General relativity is also a classical theory. The distinction is often used because quantum mechanics changed quite a bit in many fields of physics, so the term 'classical physics' allows for a clear distinction. The opposite of classical physics would be quantum physics.
There are many different subdivisions of classical physics. These subdivisions can be categorized as dynamics, hydrodynamic, acoustics, optics, mechanics, statics, magnetism, thermodynamics, and electricity. Basically, classical physics is physics dealing with things we can see or touch.
The main branches of classical physics include: Classical Mechanics Electromagnetism Classical Optics Thermodynamics Fluid mechanics In modern physics, there are a lot of different fields of study including: The Special Theory of Relativity The General Theory of Relativity Quantum Mechanics. Nuclear Particle Physics Solid state physics, incuding semiconductors. Statistical thermodynamics Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) In Modern Physics, optics and electricity & magnetism have been unified, especially through the use of Special Relativity. [Three of the most important fields of Modern Physics had been left out. I have put them first , second, and third on the list. By definition, these are Modern Physics because they are products of the 20th century. Also, some very important parts of Classical Physics had been left out, such as fluid mechanics.]
Classical physics refers to the branch of Physics whereby energy and matter are two very different concepts. It is usually based on the theory of electromagnetic radiation and the laws of motion.