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Difference Between Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity

July 31, 2022
written by Adeel Abbas

The branch of physics deals with learning about the universe. The difference between quantum mechanics and general relativity explains how these concepts work. It is possible to understand the behavior of matter and energy. People who are interested in learning about it should have a good grasp of math.  

The two most important discoveries of the last century were quantum mechanics and the General Theory of Relativity. Both of these theories form the basis of the current understanding of physics, but the two don’t seem to work together. Physicists have been trying to reconcile the two theories for many years.

What is Quantum Mechanics?

It’s a branch of mechanics. It deals with the mathematical description of motion, uncertainty principle, and quantization of energy concepts. It is used to find physical systems’ behavior. It uses principles to explain the behavior of matter and energy Scientists used to have a lot of interest in quantum mechanics.

Modern physics describes the weird behavior of particles that make up the universe through the use of quantum mechanics. The failure of classical physics in explaining a number of microphysical phenomena that were observed at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries prompted the introduction of quantum mechanics.

What is General Relativity?

One of the cornerstones of classical physics is the General Theory of Relativity, which is a synthesis of the special theory of relativity and gravitation. The geometric theory of gravitation was written by Albert Einstein in 1915.

Our understanding of astrophysics and cosmology is based on the theory of relativity. Our ideas of space and time were fundamentally changed by general relativity. It is impossible for objects to be in two different states at the same time. There is a problem with the phrase “at the same time.” The time now becomes a relative concept dependent on the observer.

Difference between Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity

The first difference between quantum mechanics and general relativity is the definition. The definition of quantum mechanics explains how atoms work. General relativity is defined as a set of physical and geometric principles along with the theory of gravity.

image showing the Difference between Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity
The branch of physics deals with learning about the universe. The difference between quantum mechanics and general relativity explains how these concepts work. It is possible to understand the behavior of matter and energy. People who are interested in learning about it should have a good grasp of math.  

There are two things that happened. The year 1925 was when the evolution of quantum mechanics happened. The year 1916 was when the evolution of general relativity happened.

3. The invention of quantum mechanics was done by two scientists. Albert Einstein was the one who came up with the idea of General Relativity.

4. Accurate descriptions are the advantage of quantum mechanics. The advantage of general relativity is its ability to understand black holes.

5. It is not possible for quantum mechanics to predict the exact location of a particle in space. The disadvantage of general relativity is that the local energy-momentum isn’t respected.