Introduction   Relativistic   Quantum   Black Holes   Chaos

Classical physics began around 1634 AD when Galileo allegedly dropped objects from the leaning tower of Pisa to prove that all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their weight. This was a gutsy move on his part because Aristotle around 320 BC said that heavier objects would fall faster than lighter ones. So, for almost 2000 years, knowbody bothered to test this theory. I am sure somebody tested this theory out in the privacy of their own home. How hard would it be to drop two different rocks side by side. Could you imagine their fear when they saw that Aristotle was wrong? Nobody dared say anything though because they would be put to death. So, Galileo began the dawn of science, where one tested their theory to see if it was correct. In 1687, Sir Isaac Newton publishes his theory on mechanics, which is the foundation of the physics of moving objects in the classical sense. Everything from a falling pebble to the orbiting planets can be explained using Newtonian physics. It is a sound and proven theory. However, it does not explain everything. It breaks down when dealing with intense gravitational forces such as found very close to the sun, and it cannot handle objects that are moving near the speed of light.

 

Classical physics does not mean that it is old and outdated. As mentioned before, it works well with everyday experiences. From 1634 up to 1900, all of the physics discovered from light to electricity is considered classical. This is the physics that is covered in the class content area of the website. Below is a time table that cites some of the major discoveries during the classical period.