What is physics?
Physics is often described as the study of matter and energy. It is concerned with how matter and energy relate to each other, and how they affect each other over time and through space.
This energy can take the form of motion, light, electricity, radiation, and gravity. Physics deals with matter on scales ranging from sub-atomic particles (i.e. the particles that make up the atom and the particles that make up those particles) to stars and even entire galaxies.
This energy can take the form of motion, light, electricity, radiation, and gravity. Physics deals with matter on scales ranging from sub-atomic particles (i.e. the particles that make up the atom and the particles that make up those particles) to stars and even entire galaxies.
Why study physics?
- Physics is one of the most fundamental of the sciences. Scientist of all disciplines make use of the ideas of physics, from chemist who study the structure of molecules to paleontologists who try to reconstruct how dinosaurs walked.
- Physics is also foundation of all engineering and technology. No engineer could design any kind of practical device without first understanding the basic principles involved.
- Study of Physics is an adventure!
branches OF PHYSICS
- Acoustics is the study of acoustics involves sound, ultrasound, infra-sound and vibration waves in all 3 physical states of matter: solids, liquids and gases.
- Astronomy is the study of the chemistry, mathematics and physics of celestial bodies as well as events that occur outside Earth’s atmosphere and throughout the universe.
- Astrophysics is a subdivision of astronomy, astrophysics is the study of the physics of how objects interact with each other across the universe.
- Atomic physics studies the interaction between electrons and the nucleus of an atom. This differs from nuclear physics which is concerned with only atomic nuclei solely.
- Biophysics are the biological systems that are bound by the laws of physics like all matter leading to the necessity for biophysicists.
- Cosmology, astrophysics and astronomy are similar fields of study however cosmologists ponder particularly about the origins and the future of the universe.
- Cryophysics (Cryogenics) Also known as low temperature physics and generally pertaining to temperatures below -150°C or -238°F (123 K) and how matter behaves to cold conditions.
- Crystallography is the study of crystallography explores atoms in their solid state of matter with particular focus in molecular and atomic structure.
- Electromagnetism--there are four fundamental forces of nature which determine the interactions between matter and energy which include strong interaction, weak interaction, gravitational force and electromagnetic force.
- Electronics deals with the electrical circuits, diodes, transistors, integrated circuits and vacuum tubs are all areas of interested for a scientists who is fascinated by electronics.
- Fluid Dynamics is the mechanics of motion in fluids in both liquid and gaseous states are investigated in studies of fluid dynamics.
- Geophysics is the study of the Earth’s environment including how interactions such as gravity, magnetic fields, volcanism, plate tectonics and hydrological cycles are influenced by each other and by celestial bodies is one of the many areas of expertise of a geophysicist.
- High energy physics is a branch that deals with the fundamental nature of the universe which utilizes particle physics to explain the origin of rare events and anomalies that can be found in space and throughout the universe.
- High Pressure Physics--Temperature and pressure often go hand in hand in mathematical calculations and engineering which has led to research in the field of high temperature physics.
- Laser Physics--- Photons are a type of particle which behave and react differently to friction than many other known particles.
- Mechanics pertains to the behavior of physical objects as well as how force applies and displaces objects in their environment.
- Meteorology is the study of the origins of meteorology that are rooted from ancient India which has evolved into the science of studying the atmosphere.
- Molecular Physics --This discipline shares many aspects with atomic physics and involves the study of molecules, atoms, chemical bonds and molecular dynamics which encompasses a variety of branches of science including physical and theoretical chemistry.
- Nuclear physics uses the applications of the physical characteristics of the atomic nuclei to develop research into nuclear power and weapons technology.
- Optics --Optical sciences is the study of the properties and behavior of light along with the interactions of light, matter and energy.
- Particle Physics-- Particle physicists have been making great strides in their research with the development of advanced technologies such as the large hadron collider developed by CERN.
- Plasma Physics--- Plasma is the fourth state of matter which is characterized by heating gases to the point at which ionization occurs altering the number of electrons in the atoms (releasing electrons from the nucleus).
- Quantum Electrodynamics is the study of how matter and light interact with each other and is a merge of the theories of quantum mechanics and special relativity.
- Quantum Mechanics is also sometimes referred to as quantum theory which investigates how physics applies at a subatomic and microscopic level.
- Quantum Optics uses the principles of quantum mechanics to describe how light interacts with other forms of matter in the universe.
- Quantum Gravity has remained an elusive and complex mystery to many physicists who seek to unify theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity in a mathematical formula.
- Relativity --The theories of special relativity and general relativity first conceived by Albert Einstein encompass the greater theory of relativity in modern physics today.
- Statistical Mechanics is the application of mathematical equations to create a model for molecular properties which can be applied to a larger population.
- Thermodynamics is the study of how heat relates to work and energy. This branch of natural science incorporates principles of chemistry and physics (in addition to statistical mechanics) to explain phenomena such as radiation, temperature, entropy and energy dispersion in both microscopic and macroscopic terms.
Physicist around the world
- William Gilbert 1544-1603
English hypothesized that the Earth is a giant magnet - Galileo Galilei 1564-1642
Italian performed fundamental observations, experiments, and mathematical analyses in astronomy and physics; discovered mountains and craters on the moon, the phases of Venus, and the four largest satellites of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede - Willebrod Snell 1580-1626
Dutch discovered law of refraction (Snell's law) - Blaise Pascal 1623-1662
French discovered that pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to every part of the fluid and to the walls of its container (Pascal's principle) - Christiaan Huygens 1629-1695
Dutch proposed a simple geometrical wave theory of light, now known as ``Huygen's principle''; pioneered use of the pendulum in clocks - Robert Hooke 1635-1703
English discovered Hooke's law of elasticity - Sir Isaac Newton 1643-1727
English developed theories of gravitation and mechanics, and invented differential calculus - Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790
American the first American physicist; characterized two kinds of electric charge, which he named ``positive'' and ``negative'' - Leonard Euler 1707-1783
Swiss made fundamental contributions to fluid dynamics, lunar orbit theory (tides), and mechanics; also contributed prolifically to all areas of classical mathematics - James Watt 1736-1819
Scottish invented the modern condensing steam engine and a centrifugal governor - Count Alessandro Volta 1745-1827
Italian pioneer in study of electricity; invented the first electric battery - Joseph Fourier 1768-1830
French established the differential equation governing heat diffusion and solved it by devising an infinite series of sines and cosines capable of approximating a wide variety of functions - Thomas Young 1773-1829
British studied light and color; known for his double-slit experiment that demonstrated the wave nature of light - Hans Christian Oersted 1777-1851
Danish discovered that a current in a wire can produce magnetic effects - Georg Ohm 1789-1854
German discovered that current flow is proportional to potential difference and inversely proportional to resistance (Ohm's law) - Michael Faraday 1791-1867
English discovered electromagnetic induction and devised first electrical transformer - Joseph Henry 1797-1878
American performed extensive fundamental studies of electromagnetic phenomena; devised first practical electric motor - Wilhelm E. Weber 1804-1891
German developed sensitive magnetometers; worked in electrodynamics and the electrical structure of matter - James Prescott Joule 1818-1889
British discovered mechanical equivalent of heat - Jean-Bernard-Léon Foucault 1819-1868
French accurately measured speed of light; invented the gyroscope; demonstrated the Earth's rotation - Hermann von Helmholtz 1821-1894
German developed first law of thermodynamics, a statement of conservation of energy. - Lord Kelvin (born William Thomson) 1824-1907
British proposed absolute temperature scale, of essence to development of thermodynamics - Gustav Kirchhoff 1824-1887
German developed three laws of spectral analysis and three rules of electric circuit analysis; also contributed to optic.