PHYSICS

Physics – comes from the greek word physike – “nature”.

- Is the discipline of science that is directly concerned with the fundamentals of nature.
- Physics has been referred to a “the pioneer science” in terms of history.
- the elements of physics began to appeal long before other sciences, ike chemistry, biology. It is the most fundamental of all
the sciences.
- Physics is defined as the study of matter and energy and their interactions.
- Physics is divided into classical and modern physics.

Branches of Physics

1. Classical – includes topics which were developed up until the 1920’s and recognized before the beginning of the 20th
century. It rests on the three theoretical pillar: Newtonian Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electromagnetic Theory.
a. Mechanics – study of forces acting on bodies at rest or in motion.
 Is often referred to as “Newtonian Mechanics” as Isaac Newton formulated the fundamental laws of
motion. It is divided into the ffg:
 Kinematics Is the study of the quantitative description of motion
 Statics deals with the study of forces at rest.
 Dynamics tackles with how motion is brought about.
b. Optics – the study of light.
 Physical Optics – deals with the study of nature. Properties and propagation of light.
 Physiological Optics – deals with the study of part played by light in visio
 Geometrical Optics – deals with the application of reflection and refraction of light in mirrors and lenses.
c. Acoustics – the study of nature and propagation of sound waves.
d. Thermodynamics – the study of temperature and energy; heatflow; and transformation of heat energy.
e. Electromagnetism – the study of the properties and relationship of electric current and magnetism.
 Electrostatics – is the study of electric charges at rest.
 Electrodynamics – deals with study of moving charges.

2. Modern Physics – are concepts developed and recognized since the beginning of 20th century. This branch of physics
includes the following sub-branches:
a. Atomic Physics – deals with study of the components, structure, and properties of atoms.
b. Nuclear Physics deals with structure, properties, reactions, and evolutions of atomic nuclei.
c. Quantum Physics – deals on the indivisible units of energy called quanta as described in the Quantum theory.
d. Solid State Physics – deals with the study of solid materials which include semiconductors and
superconductivity.
e. Plasma Physics – deals with the study of ionized(electrically charge) gases.
f. Relativistic Physics – deals with the phenomena that take place in a frame of reference that is in motion with
respect to an observer.