the ab initio way

[jeremias]

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

Quantum physics can be called ab initio model because it stems from the Schrödinger equation, in which the solutions of such an equation leads to the wave function that can be used to derive observables. In classical mechanics, similarly, we can start from Newton’s laws to find a dynamical solution for motion. Not differently, in electromagnetism, the solution of Maxwell equation and the Coulomb force are the stones to build and model charges and fields.

[Author]

Posts