Quantum physics, a field that has long captivated scientists and laypeople alike, studies the smallest particles and forces that make up our universe. At the core of this fascinating branch of physics lies the quest to understand the fundamental building blocks of matter and their behavior at the subatomic scale. Quantum mechanics, the theoretical framework…
Physics
Physics is one of the disciplines of natural sciences which deals with the study of the basic laws of nature and their manifestation in various natural phenomena.
Physicists attempt to explain several diverse natural phenomena in terms of certain scientific laws and concepts, such as Newton’s law of gravitation and Maxwell’s equations in electromagnetism.
Reductionism is a method used to derive the properties of larger and more complicated systems by studying the interactions and properties of their smaller, simpler constituent parts. This is a method that is at the very heart of physics.
Scope and excitement of physics
There are two main domains of interest in physics – macroscopic and microscopic. Classical physics is mostly concerned with macroscopic phenomena and includes subjects like mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, and electrodynamics.
However, classical physics is insufficient to handle the microscopic domain of physics. As of now, quantum theory is accepted as the right framework for explaining microscopic phenomena.
The emerging domain of mesoscopic physics, which is intermediate between the macroscopic and the microscopic, deals with a few tens or hundreds of atoms.
The scope of physics, as you can clearly see, is unbelievably wide.
For example, the scale of length deals with everything from entities as small as protons and electrons (10-14 m or less) to massive galaxies (1026 m) and even the entire universe, whose extent is of the order of 1040 or more.
Similarly, the scale of mass in physics ranges from 10-30 kg (the mass of an electron) to 1055 kg (the mass of the observable universe).
The time scale ranges from around 10-22 seconds to 1018 seconds, which can be obtained by dividing the length scales by the speed of light.
Physics, technology, and society
A strong connection has always existed between physics, technology, and society. The technological advancements made with the help of physics have made great changes in society throughout history.
Likewise, technology has occasionally given rise to new physics as well. For example, the field of thermodynamics emerged as a result of scientists studying and trying to improve the working of heat engines.
Have you ever wondered how, over the centuries, mankind progressed from the simple wheel to the space shuttle? Many of the facilities that make our daily life so easy and comfortable today, from the internet to mobile phones to microwave ovens, have become possible because of physics.
Physics holds great importance in the field of medicine as well. It is the most fundamental of all sciences and has contributed to many current medical technologies and practices, such as X-Rays, MRI, Doppler ultrasound, electrocardiography (ECG), endoscopy, and much more.
The development of biotechnology and material technology has largely depended on microscopic instruments, such as the electron microscope (EM) and the atomic force microscope (AFM).
Physics has also been actively contributing to the development of alternative energy resources like solar energy, geothermal energy, and hydroelectricity.
Despite all the progress that mankind has made, many questions remain unanswered in physics. For example, are matter and energy two different aspects of the same entity? Can different forces in nature be unified?
Reduction and unification are two important thrusts in physics that physicists have been trying to solve.
Physics is one of the most elementary and complex sciences that helps us understand various natural phenomena we see around ourselves. It is the foundation of most modern technologies and the tools and instruments used in engineering, scientific, and medical research and development. It is essential for generating fundamental knowledge needed for future technological advancements…
Hot and fresh to the college and chose physics as a subject? Yes, I have been there. When I came to the first years of my college, Physics was my favorite subject. But the lack of good books damaged my interest a lot. It was only the second year when I found some great books…
“What are Significant Figures?”, “What are they used for?”, “What is their significance?” Students often ask these questions because why would you want to identify significant numbers, if you can do mathematical calculations without them, right? Where the idea of using significant figures might come off as unnecessary, it is a crucial concept that you…
A transistor is a semiconductor gadget used for amplifying or switching electronic signals and electrical power. It is built with a single piece of semiconductor material and consists of three terminals connected to the external circuit. If you provide any voltage through one end of a transistor, it changes the current flow through the rest…
Looking for recommendations on the best statistical mechanics textbooks? In this article, I have listed some of the best statistical mechanics books for Statistical Physics majors. In this list, I have collected only those books that are loved by both teachers and students. These books are considered the top textbooks in all the colleges and…
Are you looking for the best General Relativity books to start your studies in the Theory of Relativity? Relativity, Spacetime, Gravitational Theory, Quantum Mechanics and String Theory, etc., are some of the most important branches of advanced physics. If you are looking to have a career in these, these General Relativity books for beginners may…
I don’t feel that I should explain the importance of kinematics in Physics. Kinematic equations form the very foundation of any question you intend to solve in physics. Be it uniform rectilinear motion or rotational motion, these equations will always help you to find the correct answer. Whether you are preparing for NEET or JEE…
This is a complete guide on the Raman effect along with its theories, examples and illustrations. In this, you will learn everything about the life of Chandrasekhar Venkat (CV) Raman, Raman Spectroscopy, Raman Effect and Raman Scattering in detail. Extremely useful for physics graduate and undergraduate students. About CV Raman Sir Chandrasekhar Venkat Raman, also…
‘Symmetry’ has a special meaning in physics. A picture is said to be symmetrical if one side is somehow the same as the other side. Precisely, a thing is symmetrical if one can subject it to a certain operation and it appears exactly the same after the operation. For example, if we look at a…
In this article we will define what are Macrostates and Microstates in Statistical Physics with examples and illustrations. Consider some (4, say) distinguishable particles. If we wish to distribute them into two exactly similar compartments in an open box, then the priori probability for a particle of going into any one of the compartments will…
What if we make a tunnel through the earth and drop a ball or any other body into it? How would the gravity behave on the ball, and , will the ball pop-up on the other side? If yes, then how much time will it take? A question, which is usually asked in competitive exams…