Ab initio

[ksfunke]

1) Why do we call quantum physics an ab initio model? Because quantum mechanics gives the probability of finding a particle, of a given mass, in an atom or molecule at any position at any time; from this the structure of atoms and molecules can be known. The highest probability positions give the structure, and with the structure comes knowledge of the properties.
2) Why do we call classical mechanics an ab initio model? Because the laws of classical mechanics recreate observed motions of bodies when the size of the bodies is sufficiently large.
3) Is classical electromagnetism an ab initio model (and if it is one, what are its first principles)? Yes, because classical electromagnetism can recreate the observed facts of nature when the size or time scale is sufficiently large. It’s first principles would be Maxwell’s equations and the Lorentz force law.

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