What Is Physics?
The word physics is derived from the Latin word physica, which means "natural thing."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, physics is defined as:
Definition of "Physics" by the Oxford English Dictionary
"The branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms."
Another definition by the digital encyclopedia Microsoft Encarta describes physics as:
Definition of "Physics" by Microsoft Encarta
“A major science dealing with the fundamental constituents of the universe, the forces they exert on one another, and the results produced by these forces. Sometimes in modern physics a more sophisticated approach is taken that incorporates elements of the three areas listed above; it relates to the laws of symmetry and conservation, such as those pertaining to energy, momentum, charge, and parity.”
What these definitions indicate is that physics is a branch of science that deals with the properties of matter and energy and the relationship between them. It also tries to explain the material world and the natural phenomena of the universe.
The scope of physics is very wide and vast. It deals with not only the tinniest particles of atoms, but also natural phenomenon like the galaxy, the milky way, solar and lunar eclipses, and more. While it is true that physics is a branch of science, there are many sub-branches within the field of physics.
What Are the Branches of Physics?
While there are more branches sprouting up as science and technology progresses, there are generally 11 branches of physics. These are as follows.
Branches of Physics
Classical physics
Modern physics
Nuclear physics
Atomic physics
Geophysics
Biophysics
Mechanics
Acoustics
Optics
Thermodynamics
Astrophysics
Continue reading in the app to explore each of these branches in depth.
This app of Physics, Extended building upon previous issues by offering several new features and additions. The app offers most accurate, extensive and varied set of assessment questions of any course management program in addition to all questions including some form of question assistance including answer specific feedback to facilitate success. Furthermore, the app includes math review content in both a self-study module for more in-depth review and also in just-in-time math videos for a quick refresher on a specific topic.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Measurement
Chapter 2 Motion Along a Straight Line
Chapter 3 Vector
Chapter 4 Motion in Two and Three Dimensions
Chapter 5 Force and Motion I
Chapter 6 Force and Motion II
Chapter 7 Kinetic Energy and Work
Chapter 8 Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy
Chapter 9 Center of Mass and Linear Momentum
Chaptr 10 Rotation
Chap 11 Rolling, Torque, and Angular Momentum
Chapter 12 Equilibrium and Elasticity
Chapter 13 Gravitation
Chapter 14 Fluids
Chapter 15 Oscillations
Chapter 16 Waves
Chapter 18 Temperature, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 19 The Kinetic Theory of Gases
Chapter 20 Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 21 Electric Charge
Chapter 22 Electric Fields
Chapter 23 Gauss' Law
Chapter 24 Electric Potential
Chapter 25 Capacitance
Chapter 26 Current and Resistance
Chapter 27 Circuits
Chapter 28 Magnetic Fields
Chapter 29 Magnetic Fields Due to Currents
Chapter 30 Induction and Inductance
Chapter 31 Electromagnetic Oscillations and Alternating Current
Chapter 32 Maxwell's Equations; Magnetism of Matter
Chapter 33 Electromagnetic Waves
Chapter 34 Images
Chapter 35 Interference
Chapter 36 Diffraction
Chapter 37 Relativity
Chapter 38 Photons and Matter Waves
Chapter 39 More About Matter Waves
Chapter 40 All About Atoms
Chapter 41 Conduction of Electricity in Solids
Chapter 42 Nuclear Physics
Chapter 43 Energy from the Nucleus
Chapter 44 Quarks, Leptons, and the Big Bang