The term ''mechanics'' is used in physics in a much more general way than in everyday life. For example, classical electrodynamics and fluid flow (''fluid mechanics'') are also treated according to the principles of classical mechanics.Quotidian said:but I associate 'mechanics' with mechanical (perhaps incorrectly!)
Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level. It is based on the principles of quantum theory, which describes the behavior of particles as both waves and particles.
The term "quantum mechanics" was first used by German physicist Max Born in 1924. It comes from the Latin word "quantum," meaning "how much," and the word "mechanics," which refers to the study of motion and forces.
Despite its name, quantum mechanics is not concerned with the physical movements of particles, but rather with their behavior and interactions. The term "mechanics" is used because it is based on mathematical equations that describe the motion of particles.
The key principles of quantum mechanics include the wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle, and superposition. These principles describe the behavior of particles at the atomic level and help explain phenomena such as quantum entanglement and the behavior of subatomic particles.
Classical mechanics, also known as Newtonian mechanics, is based on the laws of motion and describes the behavior of particles at the macroscopic level. Quantum mechanics, on the other hand, is based on the principles of quantum theory and deals with particles at the atomic and subatomic level, where classical mechanics breaks down.