WHAT IS PHYSICS AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

WHAT IS PHYSICAL SCIENCE

We, humans, are always curious about the nature around us. We are fascinated by the bright celestial object of the night sky, we wondered why days and night regularly repeat, why the rainbow has seven colors, why eclipses happen?

Then we responded to these wonders by observing them carefully and looking for a meaningful pattern and finding a relation to these natural phenomena. Through this human endeavor, we start gaining knowledge about Nature and we call it Natural Science. Physical Science is that part of Natural Science where we study only the non-living systems of Nature.

WHAT IS PHYSICS

Physics came from the Greek word “physke” which means “knowledge”

Physics is the Knowledge about matter and Energy and their Behavior.

Before physics we have math, we use math to understand our natural phenomena and find laws that govern the universe. By using math, we found out how matter-energy interacts with each other. What role does ‘time’ play in our natural phenomena? So, on the foundation of math, we developed Physics.

Physics gives the foundation of other sciences such as Chemistry, Biology, etc.

Chemistry is basically the science of the interaction of atoms and molecules. Those interactions are basically physics-based interactions. So, Physics gave foundation to Chemistry. Biology is also built on the foundation of Chemistry and Physics. So, physicists are the first ones who started to understand how Nature works. In simple words, Physics is an attempt to explain the complexity of the universe and predict what going to happen.

Is Physics a Static and Old Subject?

It is true that Physics start much earlier than other subject but it is not the same as it was there at its early age.

Physicists try to answer the question that developed in their minds and prove their answers by using the scientific method. But when they answer the question with some rules and laws, there appear some other questions that need to be answered. So, one solution may create several other problems. That’s why Physics continues to develop and never reaches its saturation point.

What are the Branches of Physics?

Physics is a fundamental subject that concerns the Natural Phenomena that occur in our universe.

It has many branches such as

· Mechanics

· Dynamics

· Thermodynamics

· Electromagnetism

· Modern Physics

Between 1600 ad to 1900 ad three broad areas were developed, collectively known as Classical Physics.

In classical Physics, everything is deterministic, which means you can predict the position and speed mass of any moving particle with 100% accuracy.

The three areas are:

· Mechanics

· Thermodynamics

· Electromagnetism

By 1905 it become obvious that Classical Physics fail to explain several Phenomena especially those related to microscopic objects.

So, some new theories were developed in what is called Modern Physics.

In modern physics, we study

· Quantum Physics

· Relativity

Quantum Physics is the Physics of a small object with large velocity. In Quantum Physics it is impossible to tell the exact results rather we can predict the most possible result.

When your speed is comparable to the speed of light then we need Relativity to define you

Scope and Excitement in Physics

The scope for physics is broad and covers a wide range of magnitudes of physical quantities such as length, mass, energy, time, etc.

It deals with macroscopic galaxies, stars, etc. as well as the microscopic electron, proton, etc.

Huge excitement is involved in studying physics as it explains every naturally occurring phenomenon. The challenge to unlock natural secrets through an imaginative new experiment, to verify or refute theories is really very exciting.

Quote of some famous Physicist about Physics