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
The two major branches of physics are classical physics and modern physics. Classical physics deals with the study of mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism based on classical laws of motion. Modern physics encompasses quantum mechanics, relativity, and other theories that extend beyond classical physics to explain phenomena at the atomic and subatomic levels.
classical mechanics,relativity and electromagnetism
classical mechanics,relativity and electromagnetism
Mechanics Thermodynamics Sound Light Optics Magnetism Electricity
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.
Classical mechanics is important because it provides the foundation for understanding the motion of objects and the underlying principles that govern their behavior. It allows us to predict how objects will move under various conditions, which is crucial for fields such as engineering and physics. Classical mechanics also forms the basis for more advanced branches of physics, such as quantum mechanics and relativity.
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.