quantum mechanics what does it mean?

Philippines
April 16, 2007 11:03pm CST
i was reading about quantum mechanics and was a little bit confused. can anyone tell me what quantum mechanics mean in layman's term just a simple explaination because i'm interested in Einstein's work but his work is too much for my understanding
2 responses
@jhawithu (1070)
• India
18 Apr 07
Quantum mechanics is a fundamental branch of theoretical physics with wide applications in experimental physics that replaces classical mechanics and classical electromagnetism at the atomic and subatomic levels. Quantum mechanics is a more fundamental theory than Newtonian mechanics and classical electromagnetism, in the sense that it provides accurate and precise descriptions for many phenomena that these "classical" theories simply cannot explain on the atomic and subatomic level. Along with general relativity, quantum mechanics (actually relativistic quantum mechanics, called quantum electrodynamics) is one of the pillars of modern physics.
• United States
17 Apr 07
Einstein's theories led to quantum mechanics but he actually never accepted quantum mechanics. He complained that "God doesn't play dice". If you would like a really good layman's explanation of Einstein's theories I recommend the book "Relativity Visualized" by Lewis Carroll Epstein.