Which of the following systems may be adequately described by classical physics ?
(a) motion of a cricket ball
(b) motion of a dust particle
(c) a hydrogen atom
(d) a neutron changing to a proton.
Solution
(a) motion of a cricket ball
(b) motion of a dust particle
Classical physics adequately describes the motion of a ball and the motion of dust particles. It also describes Newton's law of motion, Newton's law of gravitation, Laws of thermodynamics, Maxwell's electromagnetism and Lorentz force. Classical physics easily describes the system of heavenly bodies like the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. However, it is inadequate for describing systems of particles which have sizes much smaller than \[{10}^{- 6} m\] (e.g., atom, nuclei and other elementary particles).
