We explain what quantum mechanics is and its studies in this regard. Also, what does relativistic mechanics consist of?
What is quantum mechanics?
Quantum mechanics to the branch ofphysical contemporary dedicated to the study of objects and forces of a very small spatial scale, that is, of matter at the level of theatom and of theparticles that compose it, as well as the movements that characterize them.
Quantum mechanics is the most recent of the branches of physics, developed during the 20th century alongside theTheory of relativity, although most of its formulations are after 1920. These two fields of understanding of theuniverse They are the pillars of modern physics, although they do not start from common principles and a unifying theory (or "theory of everything") is still required to reconcile them.
The starting point of quantum mechanics is constituted by the studies of the Frenchman Louis de Broglie, who formulated the law that dictates both corpuscular (body) and wave (wave) motion of subatomic particles. This caused that this discipline was initially known aswave mechanics.
However, this would not have been possible without the previous developments of Max Planck, who hypothesized that light (electromagnetic radiation) was absorbed and emitted by thematter Whatmany (of Englishquantum) of light (today calledphotons) according to Planck's constant. This was the first quantum development in history, demonstrating the possibility of a wave-particle duality.
The development applications of this field not only revolutionized physics, but also the chemistry and to other nearby areas. This set of scientific experiences has allowed the study of the atom, of the particles that compose it (electrons, quarks and gluons) and of all elementary particles in general. Likewise, quantum mechanics made possible a very broad technological development.
Relativistic mechanics
Relativistic mechanics is the branch of physics that is governed by the Theory of Relativity formulated by Albert Einstein at the beginning of the 20th century. It is based on two major publications: the theory of special relativity and the theory of general relativity. These theories postulated the resolution to the traditional incompatibility that existed between the theories of Isaac Newton (classical or Newtonian mechanics) and those of James Clerk Maxwell (electromagnetism).
The special theory of relativity deals with the motion of bodies in the absence ofgravity forces, for which it was necessary to reformulate certain laws of motion. In the theory of general relativity, on the other hand, the main focus of theoretical reflection was the very concept of thegravity, replacing the one formulated by Newton centuries ago and allowing a non-inertial approach (without universal reference) to physical systems.
This is summarized in a simple postulate: the location of a physical phenomenon in time and space depends, above all, on the movement that its observer presents. This means that the length, time and other variables until then considered universal and absolute, simply were not, and therefore can vary depending on the conditions in which they are observed.
This theory of physics should not be confused with the possibility of interpreting a phenomenon from multiple real perspectives, nor does it have anything to do with formulations regarding truth or history. Nor is it true that this theory is "just a hypothesis." It is an explanation supported by experimental evidence.