Classical particles, fields, and systems are concepts used in classical physics to describe different aspects of the physical world. Here's a brief explanation of each:
Classical Particles: In classical physics, particles are treated as point-like objects with definite positions and momenta. They are characterized by their mass, position, velocity, and other properties such as charge. Classical particles follow deterministic trajectories according to Newton's laws of motion. Examples of classical particles include billiard balls, planets in the solar system, or a baseball thrown through the air.
Fields: Fields are physical quantities that are defined at every point in space and time. They describe how certain quantities, such as the electromagnetic field, the gravitational field, or the temperature distribution in a room, vary throughout space. Fields are not localized particles but are rather continuous and pervasive. They can have magnitude and direction at each point, and their values can change over time. Fields can interact with particles, exerting forces on them and influencing their behavior.
Systems: In classical physics, systems refer to collections of particles or fields that are considered as a whole. A system can be as simple as a single particle or as complex as a galaxy. It can consist of interacting particles or fields that influence each other's behavior. The study of systems involves understanding the dynamics and properties of the constituent particles or fields and their interactions. For example, a system could be a gas composed of many particles, a pendulum swinging back and forth, or a network of interconnected electrical circuits.
In classical physics, particles, fields, and systems are distinct but interconnected concepts used to describe and analyze different aspects of the physical world. Particles represent localized objects, fields describe the continuous properties of the surrounding space, and systems encompass the behavior and interactions of particles or fields as a whole.