1A. Classical Mechanics
The laws of physics predict how particles move. They predict how planets move around the sun, or where baseballs will land once they are suddenly accelerated after colliding with a baseball bat. The laws of physics also predict how electrons move in atoms or molecules. This last case is of supreme importance in understanding chemistry.
You have everyday experience with the laws of physics that govern the motion of objects much bigger than atomic particles, objects, for example, like planets and baseballs. These are the laws of classical mechanics first formulated by Isaac Newton in the 17th century. Those of you who have had a physics course know that the fundamental equation of classical or Newtonian mechanics is F = ma which stands for ``force equals mass times acceleration''.