Physics studies Matter, its movement and its behavior within a given time and space.
It can be said that physics is a natural science that studies the behavior of bodies in the universe, therefore, it studies how the universe behaves. It is one of the oldest academic disciplines, since its existence dates from the appearance of the astronomy.
Etymologically, the word physical is derived from the Greek term"physos"(nature), and alludes to the study of nature. In this way, for about two thousand years, physics was studied as part of natural philosophy, which covered both chemistry and biology and certain branches of mathematics.
During the seventeenth century, thanks to the Scientific Revolution, physics was first seen as an independent branch of the sciences that interacts in an interdisciplinary way with other areas of research such as biophysics and quantum chemistry. This is possible because the limits of physics are not strictly delimited.
Physics studies a broad spectrum of topics that allow it to contribute with technological advances that start from the mere theoretical explanation of the phenomena of matter.
For example, physics studies electromagnetism and nuclear phenomena, which has allowed the development of new products that have revolutionized the market and modern culture, such as television, computers and nuclear weapons (Avison, 1989).
What is the study of physics? Core areas of knowledge
Classical Physics
This branch of physics is responsible for studying the laws of motion and gravity posed by Isaac Newton And the theory of kinetics and thermodynamics proposed by James Clerk Maxwell .
Classical physics focuses primarily on matter and energy, considering them as independent entities. Acoustics, optics, classical mechanics and electromagnetism are the fundamental branches of which classical physics is nourished.
Similarly, all modern physical theories are contained and endorsed by this category of sciences (Aristotle, 1996).
Modern physics
Modern physics is a branch of physics that is primarily responsible for the study of relativity theory and quantum mechanics. Albert Einstein and Max Plank were the pioneers of modern physics, being the first scientists who introduced the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics to the scientific world (Mohindroo, 2003).
Within the ideas posed by modern physics energy and matter are not considered independent entities, but different forms of the same concept.
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is a branch of physics that is responsible for studying the constituent elements, structure, behavior and interaction of the atomic nucleus. Some encyclopedias define this branch of physics as that which is responsible for studying all elements related to the nucleus of an atom.
In the modern era, nuclear physics had a great boom. Even today, this branch of physics is what makes possible the generation of nuclear energy, nuclear weapons and some medicines.
Atomic Physics
Atomic physics is the branch of physics that is responsible for studying the composition of the atom independently of its nucleus. In this way, it is concerned with the behavior of electrons orbiting around the nucleus (Physics, 1971).
Geophysics
Geophysics is the branch of physics that is responsible for studying the behavior of the earth. Its main focus is the study of the shape of the terrestrial globe, its structure and composition.
Therefore, it is in charge of studying gravitational forces, magnetic fields, magma and volcanic eruptions, among others.
Biophysics
Biophysics is the interdisciplinary study of biological phenomena and problems, using principles, techniques and tools of physics.
This is how biophysics is responsible for studying the biological problems and molecular structure derived from all living organisms.
One of the main achievements of biophysics was to determine the structure and composition of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
Mechanics
Mechanics is a branch of physics that is in charge of studying the movement of matter when it is subjected to the influence of different forces . This branch is divided into two specific branches: classical mechanics and quantum mechanics.
The classical mechanics is in charge of studying the laws of the physical movement of objects and forces that cause these movements.
Whereas, quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that is responsible for studying the behavior of smaller particles such as electrons, neutrons and protons of an atom.
Quantum mechanics is responsible for studying this behavior of atomic particles when it does not correspond to the classical laws of Newtonian mechanics.
Acoustics
The acoustic word is derived from the Greek word"akouen"which means"to hear". In this way, acoustics can be defined as the branch of physics that is responsible for studying how sound is produced, transmitted, received and controlled.
In the same way, this branch is in charge of studying the effects of sound in different media (gaseous, liquid and solid).
Optics
Optics is the branch of physics that is in charge of studying all phenomena related to propagation, behavior and properties and light.
Light is that component of the electromagnetic spectrum that extends from X-rays to microwaves and includes radiant energy that makes possible the sensation of vision (Howard, 2015).
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that is responsible for studying the temperature in relation to energy.
In this way, thermodynamics studies the effect of work, temperature and energy on a system, especially on large-scale observations.
Astrophysics
The word astrophysics is derived from the combination of the words"astro"meaning star and"physos"meaning nature.
In this way, astrophysics can be defined as the branch of physics that is in charge of studying the stars, galaxies, planets and all the components of the universe, making use of the laws of physics (Rafiq, 2017).
References
- (nineteen ninety six). Physics. Oxford - New York: Oxford University Press.
- Avison, J. (1989). The World of Physics. United Kingdom: Nelson.
- Howard, D. (May 13, 2015). com . Obtained from What is Physics? - Definition, Branches, Fundamentals & Topics: study.com.
- Mohindroo, K.K. (2003). Modern Physics. In K. K. Mohindroo, Basic Principles of Physics (Pages 1 - 1.7). New Dehli: Piyush Printers.
- Physics, N.R. (1971). Atomic & Molecular Physics. Washington DC: National Academy of Sciences.
- Rafiq, M. (February 25, 2017). Owlcation . Retrieved from"Physics: Definition and Branches: owlcation.com".