Overview of Physics: Newtonian Mechanics, Quantum Theory, Atomic Structure, Relativity & Particle Physics

Science: An Overview of Physics

Physics is one of the most fundamental branches of science, studying how matter behaves under various conditions. It investigates the behavior of forces operating between objects, their interactions with energy, and ways of measuring these quantities. Here, we'll explore some key aspects of this fascinating field.

Newtonian Mechanics

Newtonian mechanics traces its roots back to Isaac Newton's laws of motion from the late seventeenth century. These laws describe how physical bodies react when they collide, move at different speeds, change direction, or interact with external forces like air resistance or gravity. They also explain how to calculate speeds, distances, time intervals, and accelerations. This was a major advancement because it allowed scientists to predict what would happen if something changed in a certain situation.

Quantum Theory

In 1900, Max Planck discovered quantum theory, which says that light comes in packets called quanta. He later shared his findings with Albert Einstein who explained why things have color by claiming that each kind of light has its own unique frequency. Furthermore, Niels Bohr showed us that electrons orbit around atoms not just once but many times before coming out. Now, physicists can figure out where particles will go depending on where they start and how much energy they carry.

Atomic Structure

According to Ernest Rutherford, electrons circle heavy nuclei made up mostly of protons and neutrons in atoms. But since electrons aren't very big compared to the rest of the atom, they spin around really fast, making them hard to see. So, instead, physicists made models showing the sizes, shapes and spins of all kinds of elements based on experiment results. Today, chemists understand more clearly how molecules work due to having detailed information about atomic structure.

Relativity

Albert Einstein introduced relativity to help scientists understand the universe better. According to him, everything moves relative to other stuff—even light! And he wasn't wrong either; experiments show that light always travels through empty space at exactly 186,00 miles per second no matter what. Plus, according to special relativity, time slows down near massive objects like planets or stars. General relativity explains how objects bend space like rubber sheets, allowing you to see distant places without moving anywhere at all – thanks to gravitational lensing.

Particle Physics

Particle physics deals mainly with the smallest pieces of matter known so far, including quarks, leptons, bosons etc., along with their antiparticles. Each type has specific properties such as mass or electric charge, giving researchers lots of info on how they behave together inside regular matter. In addition, particle physicists study high-energy phenomena such as cosmic rays and supernovae explosions.

Physics continues to shape our understanding of the universe —from basic questions to complex theories. As technology advances, new tools enable scientists to probe deeper into unknown areas, leading to exciting discoveries that alter our perspective about our world.