Introduction to Physics

What is Physics?

• Physics is a branch of natural science that attempts to describe the basic mechanisms that make our universe behave the way it does.
• Physics enables you to understand how things work like cars, airplanes, space rockets, refrigerators, radios, televisions, etc.
• Physics explains physical phenomena, like the difficulty of walking on a smooth floor, why fans rotate, etc.
• Physics helps you to discover some of the unknown parts of nature and makes you familiar with the modern world.
• Physics helps you understand concepts in other subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy, etc.
• A person who studies physics is called a physicist.
• Some of te fields in which physics is applicable include:
  • The field of transportation
  • The field of aviation and space science
  • The field of medicine
  • The field of forensic and military science
  • the field of meteorology and metrology etc

Branches of Physics

• Physics has expanded into many branches.
• Some of the branches of physics include: Mechanics, Acoustics, Optics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, Nuclear Physics, etc.
• Mechanics is divided into two branches: quantum mechanics and classical mechanics.
  • Quantum mechanics deals with the behavior of smallest particles like neutrons, protons, and electrons.
  • Classical mechanics deals with the laws of motion of forces and physical objects.

Related Fields to Physics

• Physics is the foundation of many important scientific disciplines.
• Some related fields include: Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Biophysics, Geophysics, Medical Physics etc.

Historical Issues and Contributors

• Physics, as it developed from the renaissance to the end of the 19th century, is called classical physics.
• Revolutionary discoveries starting at the beginning of the 20th century transformed physics from classical physics to modern physics.
• Many laws of classical physics have been modified during the 20th century, resulting in dramatic changes in technology, society, and our view of the universe.
• Some of the physics discoveries that changed the world are discussed below:
  • Isaac Newton contributed to the Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th century by formulating three laws of motion, known as Newton’s laws of motion and showed how the principle of universal gravitation could be used to explain the behavior of bodies on Earth, planets, and other celestial bodies.
  • Michael Faraday contributed a lot to the field of electromagnetism, inventing the world’s first electric generator.
  • James Prescott Joule studied the nature of heat and discovered its relationship to mechanical work. This led to the law of conservation of energy. His work helped lay the foundation for the first of three laws of thermodynamics that describe how energy in our universe is transferred from one object to another, or transformed from one form to another.

Explore the fundamental concepts of physics and its significance in understanding the universe. This quiz covers the basics of physics, its applications in various fields, and its relation to other scientific disciplines. Test your knowledge and discover how physics shapes the modern world.