answersLogoWhite

0

There are many examples of what classical physics can not explain.

(By classical physics we mean that which has its theoretical foundations before about 1900.)

Quantum mechanics is absent from classical physics. Classical physics can not explain why atoms (positive nucleus attracted to surrounding electrons) is stable. Even the simplest atom, a hydrogen atom, would be unstable and the electron orbiting the proton would gradually radiate its energy and the orbit would decay.

The photoelectric effect is an important historical example of the failure of classical physics. In that case, electromagnetic theory said that light was an electromagnetic wave. That was true enough but it does not account for the quantum nature of light and the characteristics that allow a photon to act like a discrete bundle of electromagnetic energy with properties like a particle.

Virtually all of our understanding about the atomic structure and properties of matter depends on quantum mechanics, so the example of hydrogen is just symbolic of the need for modern physics for the entirety of our understanding about electronic properties of matter.

One can choose to define classical physics to include relativity or not as one wishes, but it is fair to say that Newtonian mechanics does not explain relativistic mechanics. In particular, time dilation and length contraction are purely relativistic effects.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

Can classical physics explain the photoelectric effect?

No. To explain the photoelectric effect, you have to think of light as a particle, not a wave. The fact that light can be both a wave and a particle is part of quantum mechanics, not classical physics.


The two major branches of physics?

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.


What are the reason the classical physics failed?

It is a macroscopic theory. Their theoretical values are not equal to the experimental values. The classical theory cannot explain the photoelectric effect,compton effect,magnetic properties briefly..... it obeys the classical mechanics. it does not briefly explain the atoms internal parts . hence it is rectified by quantum physics....!


What is the similarities of classical physics to modern physics?

Both classical physics and modern physics are based on mathematical models to describe natural phenomena. They both rely on experimental data to validate their theories and make predictions about the universe. However, modern physics expands on classical physics by incorporating concepts like relativity and quantum mechanics to explain phenomena at the macroscopic and microscopic levels.


Why classical physics changes from classical to quantum?

Classical physics fails to accurately describe phenomena at the quantum scale, like particles behaving as waves and existing in superpositions. Quantum mechanics, with principles like wave-particle duality and quantization of energy levels, provides a more comprehensive framework to explain such phenomena. Thus, the transition from classical to quantum physics occurs due to the limitations of classical physics in describing the behavior of particles at the quantum level.

Related Questions

Can classical physics explain the photoelectric effect?

No. To explain the photoelectric effect, you have to think of light as a particle, not a wave. The fact that light can be both a wave and a particle is part of quantum mechanics, not classical physics.


The two major branches of physics?

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.


What are the reason the classical physics failed?

It is a macroscopic theory. Their theoretical values are not equal to the experimental values. The classical theory cannot explain the photoelectric effect,compton effect,magnetic properties briefly..... it obeys the classical mechanics. it does not briefly explain the atoms internal parts . hence it is rectified by quantum physics....!


What is the similarities of classical physics to modern physics?

Both classical physics and modern physics are based on mathematical models to describe natural phenomena. They both rely on experimental data to validate their theories and make predictions about the universe. However, modern physics expands on classical physics by incorporating concepts like relativity and quantum mechanics to explain phenomena at the macroscopic and microscopic levels.


Why classical physics changes from classical to quantum?

Classical physics fails to accurately describe phenomena at the quantum scale, like particles behaving as waves and existing in superpositions. Quantum mechanics, with principles like wave-particle duality and quantization of energy levels, provides a more comprehensive framework to explain such phenomena. Thus, the transition from classical to quantum physics occurs due to the limitations of classical physics in describing the behavior of particles at the quantum level.


When does newtonian physics fail to explain motion correctly?

Newtonian physics fails to explain motion correctly in extreme conditions such as at speeds approaching the speed of light or in the presence of very strong gravitational fields where the effects of relativity become significant. Additionally, at the quantum level, where particles behave in ways that cannot be predicted using classical physics, Newtonian physics also breaks down.


Why you need quantum or modern physics while classical physics existed already?

Classical physics was based upon how the things we deal with every day move when we deal with them in everyday situations. As we started to discover new things (protons, electrons, redshift, etc) classical physics failed to completely explain what we observed. Modern physics explained time-and-space related quandries while quantum physics explained wave-and-particle dualities.


Who is the father is classical physics?

Sir Isaac newton is the undisputed father of classical physics.


What is the significance of the Bell inequality in quantum mechanics and how does it challenge classical physics theories?

The Bell inequality in quantum mechanics is significant because it demonstrates that certain correlations between particles cannot be explained by classical physics theories. This challenges the idea that particles have predetermined properties and suggests that quantum mechanics operates differently from classical physics.


What is radioactive decay in classical physics?

impossible & inexplicable. in classical physics radioactivity simply can't happen.


How do you explain Classical Conditioning Theory?

Explain Classical Conditioning Theory?


Father of modern and classical physics?

There isn't one father of physics, there were many important physicists through the ages, each redefining the concepts we know today. We can point to some of the more noticeable physicists, who are, perhaps - Aristotle, Galileo, Newton and Einstein. There are many sites and books which can explain exactly who these people are and what their input to physics was.