Physics Branches Overview

Study Notes

Modern Physics

Modern physics encompasses various subfields, including quantum physics, relativity, and cosmology. Quantum physics deals with the smallest particles and forces, while relativity explains the dynamics of massive objects such as planets and stars. Cosmology examines the history and future of our universe. These fields are constantly evolving, leading to discoveries such as black holes, dark energy, and dark matter. Additionally, string theory, loop quantum gravity, and M-theory attempt to reconcile general relativity and quantum mechanics, offering alternative perspectives on space and time.

Mechanics

Mechanics, an essential part of classical physics, studies rigid bodies at rest and in motion. It covers Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and solid mechanics. Mechanics provides the foundation for understanding the basic relationships among forces, masses, accelerations, velocities, and displacements. Solving mechanical problems often depends on using vector calculus to express equations in terms of components in different coordinate frames.

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics explores the relationship between heat and work, focusing on energy conversion and transfer processes. Key terms include temperature difference, entropy change, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal resistance, and efficiency. Thermodynamic principles govern refrigerators, engines, steam turbines, jet propulsion units, solar cells, electric generators, heating appliances, chemical reactors, batteries, electrical motors, and power transmission lines.

Electricity and Magnetism

These fields deal with the interaction of charged particles with electromagnetic fields. Electricity is concerned with charges produced by chemical reactions and stored in capacitors. Magnetism revolves around magnetic moment and torque due to external magnetic fields. Electrical circuits and electrostatic discharges are also studied. Electrostatics includes charge densities, polarization vectors, permittivities, dielectric constants, and electric field intensities. Circuit theory involves Kirchhoff's voltage law, Ohm's law, complex impedances, power dissipation factor, self-inductance, mutual induction, admittance, transmittance, and reflection coefficients.

Optics

Optics pertains to the behavior of light and optical systems. Light is described mathematically in terms of wavefronts, rays, wave surfaces, and spherical aberration. Refraction, reflection, dispersion, absorption, scattering, and interference are key phenomena. Optical fiber communication uses cables carrying modulated laser light signals, carrying digital information from source to destination, such as Internet traffic. Other aspects of optics involve telescope design, color photography, microscope construction, photometry, radiometry, spectroradiometry, vision correction, and night vision equipment.

Description

Explore key concepts in modern physics, mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Understand quantum physics, relativity, thermodynamic principles, electromagnetic fields, and light behavior in optical systems.