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== Classical and Modern Physics ==

== Classical and Modern Physics ==

[[Classical physics]] generally encompasses all areas of physics that were well-understood by the end of the 19th century (i.e., before the events that led to the advent of quantum mechanics).  It is applicable to problems on an "everyday" scale; that is, situations in which energies are large enough to permit one to neglect quantum effects, but small enough to neglect relativistic effects.  Areas of study within classical physics include

[[Classical physics]] generally encompasses all areas of physics that were well-understood by the end of the 19th century (i.e., before the events that led to the advent of the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics).  It is applicable to problems on an "everyday" scale; that is, situations in which energies are large enough to permit one to neglect quantum effects, but small enough to neglect relativistic effects.  Areas of study within classical physics include

*[[Mechanics]], the study of forces acting on bodies

*[[Mechanics]], the study of the motion of bodies

*[[Thermodynamics]], the study of heat and entropy

*[[Thermodynamics]], the study of energy, heat, work and its transformations

*[[Electricity and magnetism]], the study of electric and magnetic phenomena

*[[Electricity and magnetism]], the study of electric and magnetic phenomena

[[Modern physics]] generally includes areas of study within physics that surfaced after 1900, the year in which [[Max Planck]] proposed a "quantum hypothesis" to explain the properties of light emitted by [[black body|hot, dark objects]].  The two major aspects of modern physics are  

[[Modern physics]] generally includes areas of study within physics that surfaced after 1900, the year in which [[Max Planck]] proposed a "quantum hypothesis" to explain the properties of light emitted by [[black body|hot, dark objects]].  The two major aspects of modern physics are  

*[[Relativity]], a form of mechanics that is applicable in very high-energy situations

*[[Relativity]], a new physical theory that stated that space and time are not absolute concepts

*[[Quantum mechanics]], a probabilistic description of the discrete behavior of matter and energy at tiny length and energy scales

*[[Quantum mechanics]], a probabilistic description of the discrete behavior of matter and energy at tiny length and energy scales

=== Medieval Advances ===

=== Medieval Advances ===

[[Image:Nicolaus Copernicus.jpg|thumb|[[Nicolaus Copernicus]].]]

[[Image:Nicolaus Copernicus.jpg|thumb|[[Nicolaus Copernicus]].]]

As [[scientific method|scientific methodology]] became further developed, the Aristotelian view came under scrutiny. By the 16th century, force and motion had become topics of interest among scientists of the day.  [[Galileo Galilei]] performed a series of experiments involving rolling balls down inclined planes, and [[Johannes Kepler]] found [[Kepler's laws|mathematical relations]] governing the motion of the [[planet]].  [[Isaac Newton]] was able to explain the results of Galileo and Kepler through the use of three succinct [[Newton's laws of motion|laws of motion]] and an expression that accounted for [[gravity|gravitational]] force.  Newton also made important contributions to the field of [[optics]] and suggested that light consisted of tiny corpuscles (particles).

As [[scientific method|scientific methodology]] became further developed, the Aristotelian view came under scrutiny. Europe became the the leading centre of scientific research by the 16th century. Force and motion had become topics of interest among scientists of the day.  [[Galileo Galilei]] performed a series of experiments involving rolling balls down inclined planes, and [[Johannes Kepler]] found [[Kepler's laws|mathematical relations]] governing the motion of the [[planet]].  [[Isaac Newton]] was able to explain the results of Galileo and Kepler through the use of three succinct [[Newton's laws of motion|laws of motion]] and an expression that accounted for [[gravity|gravitational]] force.  Newton also made important contributions to the field of [[optics]] and suggested that light consisted of tiny corpuscles (particles).  

===Further Development of Classical Physics===

===Further Development of Classical Physics===

*The universe is known to be expanding at an accelerated rate.  Such acceleration requires energy, but the form and source of this [[dark energy]] is not well-understood.

*The universe is known to be expanding at an accelerated rate.  Such acceleration requires energy, but the form and source of this [[dark energy]] is not well-understood.

*General relativity predicts the existence of gravitational waves, but none have been conclusively detected.  Due to the weakness of the gravitational interaction, extremely sensitive detectors are required.  The [[LIGO]] project is an example of current efforts to detect such waves.

*General relativity predicts the existence of gravitational waves, but none have been conclusively detected.  Due to the weakness of the gravitational interaction, extremely sensitive detectors are required.  The [[LIGO]] project is an example of current efforts to detect such waves.

==External Links==

==External Links==