Ab Initio

[Nikol]

Why do we call quantum physics an ab initio model? Why do we call classical mechanics an ab initio model? Is classical electromagnetism an an ab initio model (and if it is one, what are its first principles)?

An ab initio model “begins” from something akin to a set of irreducible postulates, a set of fundamental assumptions, from which we derive the behaviour within a physical system.
Based on that, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, and electromagnetism are ab initio models within their respective domain of physics (although QM can can be considered the “most fundamental” out of them):
– QM is build upon the Schrödinger equation, the wavefunctions and operators.
– Classical mechanics on Newton’s Laws of motion.
– Electromagnetism on Maxwell’s equations (first principles):
– Lorentz force law.
– Gauss’s law of electricity.
– Gauss’s law of magnetism.
– Faraday’s law of induction.
– Ampére-Maxwell law.

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