Branches of Physics

Study Notes

Mechanics: Study of motion, forces, and energy
- Kinematics: description of motion
- Dynamics: forces and their effects on motion
- Statics: equilibrium and balance
Thermodynamics: Study of heat, temperature, and energy transfer
- Laws of thermodynamics: zeroth, first, second, and third
Electromagnetism: Study of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic radiation
- Electric charges and fields
- Magnetic fields and forces
- Electromagnetic waves and light
Optics: Study of light, its properties, and behavior
- Reflection, refraction, and diffraction
- Lenses and optical instruments
Quantum Mechanics: Study of atomic and subatomic particles
- Wave-particle duality
- Uncertainty principle
- Schrödinger equation and wave functions
Relativity: Study of space and time
- Special relativity: time dilation and length contraction
- General relativity: gravity and curvature of spacetime

Energy: ability to do work, measured in joules (J)
Momentum: product of mass and velocity, measured in kg·m/s
Force: push or pull, measured in newtons (N)
Newton's laws: three laws describing motion and forces
1. Inertia: objects at rest stay at rest, objects in motion stay in motion
2. Force and acceleration: F = ma
3. Action and reaction: every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Wavelength and frequency: properties of waves
- Wavelength: distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs
- Frequency: number of oscillations per second

Isaac Newton: developed laws of motion and universal gravitation
Albert Einstein: developed theories of special and general relativity
Marie Curie: discovered radioactivity and pioneered nuclear physics
Max Planck: introduced concept of quantized energy and founded quantum theory
Erwin Schrödinger: developed quantum mechanics and wave functions

Mechanics deals with motion, forces, and energy, and is divided into three subfields: Kinematics (description of motion), Dynamics (forces and their effects on motion), and Statics (equilibrium and balance).
Thermodynamics is the study of heat, temperature, and energy transfer, and includes the Laws of Thermodynamics (zeroth, first, second, and third).
Electromagnetism encompasses the study of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic radiation, including Electric Charges and Fields, Magnetic Fields and Forces, and Electromagnetic Waves and Light.
Optics is the study of light, its properties, and behavior, including Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction, as well as Lenses and Optical Instruments.
Quantum Mechanics is the study of atomic and subatomic particles, and includes principles such as Wave-Particle Duality, the Uncertainty Principle, and the Schrödinger Equation and Wave Functions.
Relativity is the study of space and time, and includes Special Relativity (time dilation and length contraction) and General Relativity (gravity and curvature of spacetime).

Energy is the ability to do work, and is measured in Joules (J).
Momentum is the product of mass and velocity, and is measured in kg·m/s.
Force is a push or pull, and is measured in Newtons (N).
Newton's Laws describe motion and forces, and consist of three laws: Inertia (objects at rest stay at rest, objects in motion stay in motion), Force and Acceleration (F = ma), and Action and Reaction (every action has an equal and opposite reaction).
Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs, and Frequency is the number of oscillations per second, both of which are properties of waves.

Isaac Newton developed the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
Albert Einstein developed the theories of special and general relativity.
Marie Curie discovered radioactivity and pioneered nuclear physics.
Max Planck introduced the concept of quantized energy and founded quantum theory.
Erwin Schrödinger developed quantum mechanics and wave functions.