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1.2 Nature of Physics
summary
Fixed physical interactions
- Given the context and initial conditions, processes in classical physics unfold according to exceptionless laws. Outcomes are inevitable.
- For example, gravity is always an inverse-square law with no deviations.
- In the quantum case, the individual outcomes are random, but the statistics, when many events are considered, are highly predictable.
- Intentions or choice is not a factor in either the classical or quantum case.
The logic of physics
- As per Professor Ellis, physical laws determine the evolution of a physical system in a purposeless and inevitable way.
- Dynamical laws determine later states from earlier states, when the context and initial boundary conditions are known.
- The outcomes are testable and repeatable.