Physics Overview and Branches

Physics Overview

• Physics is the scientific study of nature, focusing on concepts like motion, force, and energy.
• The root "phys" comes from the Greek word for "nature" and "natural order."
• Physics encompasses various branches, including mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, acoustics, and relativity.

Branches of Physics

• Mechanics: Studies bodies in motion.
• Optics: Studies light and its properties.
• Thermodynamics: Examines a system's energy and its changes.
• Electromagnetism: Deals with opposite charges and the associated energy fields.
• Acoustics: Focuses on sound and the vibrations that produce it.
• Relativity: General relativity involves gravity, while special relativity focuses on the concepts of space and time varying for different observers.

The Scientific Method

• The scientific method is a systematic approach for answering scientific questions.
• Steps include: Question, Background Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Empirical Data Analysis, Conclusion.
• The specific order and details within the method may vary based on the subject and the experiment.
• Experiments are critical for validating hypotheses.
• If a hypothesis is consistently supported, it can evolve into a theory.
• Biases can influence scientific results.

Experimental Design

• Observations initiate the experimental investigation, leading to questions and hypotheses.
• Key steps include: Defining variables, forming hypotheses, designing experiments, assigning subjects and measuring the dependent variable.

International System of Units (SI)

• The SI, or metric system, is the standard system of measurement.
• It uses a decimal (base-10) system.
• Units for various physical quantities: length (meter), mass (kilogram), volume (m³), density (kg/m³), temperature (Kelvin).
• A conversion factor is vital for changing from one unit to another. The correct unit should be in the denominator when changing values, with the desired result in the numerator.

Problem Solving

• Practice and strategic planning are important in physics problem solving.
• Learn to explicitly lay out steps for calculations to reduce errors.

Significant Figures

• Significant figures depict a measurement's accuracy.
• Rules dictate which digits are significant in a calculation: non-zero digits, zeros between non-zero digits, some trailing zeros in decimal numbers, and scientific notation coefficients.
• Results of multiplication/division/addition/subtraction follow the least precise calculation in the data used.
• Scientific notation can explicitly represent significant figures

Kinematics

• Kinematics studies the motion of objects, without considering the underlying causes.
• Questions explored include distance, direction, speed, acceleration.

Explore the fundamental concepts of physics, including its various branches such as mechanics, optics, and thermodynamics. Learn about the scientific method, which is essential for conducting experiments and answering scientific questions. This quiz will test your knowledge of the core principles and applications of physics.