Physics Overview

Definition: The branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy.
Key Areas:
- Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Electromagnetism
- Optics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Relativity

Force: A push or pull on an object.
- Measured in Newtons (N).
- Newton's Laws of Motion:
  - First Law: An object at rest stays at rest; an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon.
  - Second Law: F = ma (Force equals mass times acceleration).
  - Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Energy: The ability to do work.
- Types:
  - Kinetic Energy (KE): Energy of motion (KE = ½ mv²).
  - Potential Energy (PE): Stored energy based on position (PE = mgh).
- Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Momentum: The product of an object's mass and velocity (p = mv).
- Conservation of Momentum: In a closed system, total momentum before an event equals total momentum after.

Thermodynamics: Study of heat, energy, and work.
- Laws of Thermodynamics:
  - First Law: Energy conservation.
  - Second Law: Entropy of an isolated system always increases.
Electromagnetism: Study of electric and magnetic fields.
- Key Concepts:
  - Electric Charge: Positive and negative charges.
  - Coulomb's Law: The force between two charged objects.
  - Electromagnetic Induction: Change in magnetic field induces an electric current.
Waves and Optics: Study of waves and light behavior.
- Properties of Waves:
  - Wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed.
- Reflection, refraction, and diffraction of light.
- Wave-particle duality: Light exhibits properties of both waves and particles.

Quantum Mechanics: Study of particles at atomic and subatomic levels.
- Key Concepts:
  - Wavefunction, uncertainty principle, quantization.
  - Quantum entanglement and superposition.
Relativity: Einstein's theories that describe the behavior of objects in motion.
- Special Relativity: Time and space are relative; speed of light is constant.
- General Relativity: Gravity is the curvature of spacetime.

Engineering: Principles of physics applied in construction, mechanics, and electronics.
Medical Physics: Use of physics in medical imaging and treatments (e.g., MRI, radiation therapy).
Astrophysics: Study of the universe, stars, and celestial phenomena.

Physics studies the nature and properties of matter and energy.
Key areas include mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, quantum mechanics, and relativity.

Force: Defined as a push or pull; measured in Newtons (N).
- Newton's Laws of Motion outline fundamental principles:
  - First Law: Objects maintain their state of motion unless acted upon.
  - Second Law: Force (F) is the product of mass (m) and acceleration (a); represented as F = ma.
  - Third Law: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Energy: The capacity to perform work.
- Kinetic Energy (KE): Energy associated with motion, calculated as KE = ½ mv².
- Potential Energy (PE): Stored energy linked to an object's position, calculated as PE = mgh.
- Conservation of Energy principle states energy is transformed but neither created nor destroyed.
Momentum: Defined as the product of an object's mass (m) and velocity (v), expressed as p = mv.
- Conservation of Momentum asserts total momentum before and after an event remains constant in a closed system.

Thermodynamics: Focuses on the relationship between heat, energy, and work.
- The First Law emphasizes energy conservation.
- The Second Law states that entropy in an isolated system will always increase.
Electromagnetism: Explores electric and magnetic fields.
- Electric Charge comes in positive and negative forms.
- Coulomb's Law addresses the force between two charged objects.
- Electromagnetic Induction demonstrates that a change in the magnetic field can induce an electric current.
Waves and Optics: Investigates wave properties and behavior of light.
- Key properties include wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed.
- Light interacts with surfaces through reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
- Wave-particle duality indicates that light has characteristics of both waves and particles.

Quantum Mechanics: Analyzes behavior of particles at atomic and subatomic levels.
- Core concepts include wavefunction, uncertainty principle, and quantization.
- Phenomena like quantum entanglement and superposition are significant.
Relativity: Consists of Einstein's theories on motion and gravity.
- Special Relativity posits that time and space are relative, with the speed of light being a constant.
- General Relativity reveals that gravity results from curvature in spacetime.

Engineering: Application of physics principles in structural design, mechanics, and electronics.
Medical Physics: Utilization in medical imaging and treatments, such as MRI and radiation therapies.
Astrophysics: Investigation of the universe, celestial bodies, and cosmic phenomena.