Classical mechanics

Classical mechanics describes how macroscopic bodies move and interact, typically when quantum effects can be neglected. Its main formulations are Newtonian mechanics, Lagrangian mechanics, and Hamiltonian mechanics.

Newton's laws of motion: Three laws relating an object's motion to forces and describing how forces act in pairs. They provide the direct force-based rules for predicting motion.
Position (geometry): A specification of an object's location relative to a chosen reference frame. Changes in position define the paths that mechanics predicts.
Orbital mechanics: The study of the motion of bodies under gravity, especially spacecraft and celestial objects. It applies classical dynamics to trajectories around planets and stars.
Quantum mechanics: A physical theory describing matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales. Quantum mechanics is needed when classical predictions fail at microscopic scales.
Galileo Galilei: An Italian astronomer and physicist whose experiments and writings helped establish mathematical physics. His studies of falling bodies and inertia helped prepare mechanics for Newton.
Lagrangian mechanics: A formulation of mechanics that derives motion from a system's kinetic and potential energies. It replaces force-by-force analysis with equations built from energy.
Velocity: The rate of change of position with time, including direction. Velocity distinguishes motion's direction as well as its speed.
Celestial mechanics: The study of the motions of astronomical bodies under gravitational influence. Planetary motion is a major test and application of classical mechanics.
Special relativity: A theory of space, time, and motion for inertial frames, especially at high speeds. Relativistic mechanics replaces classical predictions near the speed of light.
Isaac Newton: An English mathematician and physicist who formulated laws of motion and universal gravitation. His 1687 synthesis established the foundational framework of classical mechanics.

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