subject: Introduction to Physics (An Outline) [print this page] Introduction to Physics (An Outline) Introduction to Physics (An Outline)
Physics in the most simplest of terms is the study of everything (all matter) and its motion, which includes energy and force in all its forms. It comes from the Greek word physis which means nature.
But the study of living organisms and their functioning is called Biology while the study of matter alone itself and its changes is called Chemistry.
The following are the fields of Physics:
Classical Mechanics: Today this term refers to all the Physics begun by Sir Isaac Newton and other 17th century physicists uptil the advent of Quantum Mechanics. This includes Newton's Laws ofMotion and his Theory of Gravitation. Other fields in it include the so called Fluid Dynamics (the study of the motion of fluids), Acoustics (the study of sound in air and other media), Kinematics(study of motion), Thermodynamics (the study of heat and its relation to work) and Aerodynamics (the study of the motion of air). A thorough mastery of these is required to advance in ModernPhysical fields like Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.
Electromagnetism: This field refers to the relation between electricity and and magnetism which are a single force in reality. This idea was worked out by physists such as Hans Christian rsted, Michael Faraday, and James Clark Maxwell. This field is the fundemental base of all electronics. Fileds studied under it are Electrostatics (study of static electricity which as opposed to CurrentElectricity studies small charges), Electrodynamics (study between the relation of electric charges and currents), Electricity (study of current of current electricity i.e. when charges are in motion)and Maxwell's Equations of Light.
Theory of Relativity: In the year 1905 and 1915 respectively, Albert Einstein who at that time was working in a Swiss Patents Office as a clerk published his Theory of Special Relativity (1905) and Theory of General Relativity (1915). The primary scope of the theory is to study phenomenon which are beyond the concepts of Classical Mechanics. It asserted that the no object can supercedethe speed of light and the speed of light is constant. Time and space are no separate entities but in reality are a single concept of Space-Time which is added as the 4th temporeal deminsion inaddition to the 3 spatial dimensons of lenght, beadth and height. It also asserted that all motion is relative and thus time too is not absolute but relative. It also predicted the celebrated mass-energy equivalence equation which was the base concept of the atom bomb. It is supposed to govern larger objects such as planets, galaxies and the universe as a whole at a larger scale.
Quantum Mechanics: Quantum Mechanics is most basically the branch of physics providing a mathematical description of the dual particle-like and wave-like behaviour and
interaction of matter and energy. It includes the concept of Heisenberg's Uncertainty principle which states that the position, energy and momentum of an electron cannot be all known at the sametime. It also includes many other such similar concepts which assert the idea that all sub-atomic interaction being in the domain of particle as well as wave behaviour is primarily based onprobabilities instead of complete assertions and absolute predictions which can be seen in other fields of science. Thus, Quantum Mechanics describes nature i.e. the particles of nature to followa random behaviour which may not be explained with complete accuracy but at least predicted to a certain level of probability.
