What is Physics: Definition and 996 Discussions

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. 'knowledge of nature', from φύσις phýsis 'nature') is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and, through its inclusion of astronomy, perhaps the oldest. Over much of the past two millennia, physics, chemistry, biology, and certain branches of mathematics were a part of natural philosophy, but during the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century these natural sciences emerged as unique research endeavors in their own right. Physics intersects with many interdisciplinary areas of research, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, and the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms studied by other sciences and suggest new avenues of research in academic disciplines such as mathematics and philosophy.
Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism, solid-state physics, and nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products that have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of industrialization; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

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  1. physics_student01

    New member here, please be patient with me 😅

    Hi all, New PF member. Currently a sophomore Physics student. I encounter niggling conceptual difficulties in this journey. I was referred to this site by my senior, that the people/mentors here are very kind and would help me navigate this journey provided I am ready to grind & wrestle with...
  2. shmwot

    hello besties

    Hey! I'm currently an undergrad student, gonna be switching majors/ starting fresh with physics next year(which is something I've always wanted to do) Also I'm turning 18 on may 12th this year wish me lol Glad to be here. Hoping to make really cool friends and contribute in a good bunch of...
  3. T

    vth

    Hello, my name is Varian Harrison. I joined this website in order to have more understanding about physics.
  4. User849483

    New student!

    Hello, I needed help with a physics problem and I found this forum. I hope someone can help me with my problem.
  5. Akkiron00

    My Introduction

    I've always been fascinated by physics but never had the opportunity to pursue it academically. That's why I'm here—to clarify the physics-related doubts and questions that have always intrigued me.
  6. D

    B Roulette wheel physics and probability

    Hi all, I've been a roulette player for more than 10 years (although I took time off here and there) and it's only now that I'm trying to understand the physics of the game. Basically my strategy in roulette is to divide the wheel roughly into two halves (let's call them A and B). My theory is...
  7. Gary Venter

    New member: Stat Modeler Learning Physics

    I studied foundations of mathematics from mathematical and philosophical angles in grad school but then went on to a career of building and testing statistical risk models. The guiding philosophy there, which I call Boxian Skepticism, derives from a quote of George Box: "All models are wrong but...
  8. jzz

    Hello physics forums

    I like the structured approach PF uses in the explanation and study of physics.
  9. D

    Hello from Australia

    Hey all, I am a longtime roulette player in Australia and have become curious about the physics involved in roulette, so I googled it and found this forum. I saw some threads on the topic so thought I'd join!
  10. S

    Application to PhD in Physics in the USA

    Hello everyone! I did my BSc in Electrical Engineering and MSc in Communicative Electronics (Specialty- Electronic Engineering). I have one paper publication in IEEE. However, I have low GPAs in both BSc and MSc (around 2.5 on a scale of 4). Will it be possible for me to get a PhD in Physics or...
  11. J

    Deriving a mathematical model for a stick falling over

    this is how far i have come with my model, i am trying to first the most simple model, meaning no friction involved and then testing that against an actual stick falling by using tracking software. I am currently stuck as my model still has an acceleration in the y direction that i cannot seem...
  12. PavithraSelvaraj

    Ended up here because of my friction with physics

    How did you find PF?: Via a google search Hey all! I am a student from India. I want to intuitively discover and understand physics concepts. I have had my rock bottom moments with it, hated it, got curious, tried to learn more, and the loop continues. I ended up here, because of a google...
  13. ateixeira

    What Makes a Good Scientist?

    I finished my degree in 2007, drifted away into management consulting and the financial world. Now in 2024 I decided to return and do a PhD in particle physics (lattice QCD and mesonic physics to be more exact.) Hence I defined a study plan to get me into basic shape until September. Besides...
  14. J

    Semi-retired chemistry and physics teacher

    I volunteer in my wife's intro to chem and physics class and her design workshop class at the local high school. I integrate PASCO and Vernier probeware, and help with other experimental design problems, as well as working one on one with students. Both classes are primarily project oriented.
  15. E

    Programs Trying to decide what program to study (physics or engineering)

    I am passionate about physics and math and science, you've heard the story a million times. I don't know whether I should study in physics or engineering. I find the concept of Engineering Physics really cool. I've heard it still gives you the opportunity to go study graduate physics? (Lets...
  16. mister i

    B Exploring the equivalences between mass, time and length

    We know that in the universe we can establish an equivalence between length and time through a constant (the speed of light): l = ct and talk about length in units of time (light-years). But, by playing mathematically with the dimensions of M, L and T and the constants G and c we can see...
  17. jedishrfu

    New Insight into the Chemistry of Solvents

    https://www.newsweek.com/basic-principle-physics-wrong-oxford-university-scientists-say-1874984
  18. Ubermeganerd

    Long time high school physics teacher, just joined forum

    I've been lurking on this site for over a decade (especially when my high school students ask me a particularly obscure physics-related question), so it's high time that I finally joined. I've teach in Pitt Meadows, BC, Canada, and I've been teaching for 25 years and counting. I love teaching...
  19. B

    Introducing myself

    Hello, I'm Bertram and I'm in my last year of school and I would like to study physics, I really like particle physics from what I know. I'm here to connect to other scientists or students, but also to learn more about the subject, common problems and the way of precise articulating. Have a nice...
  20. RandomGuy055

    A high school student who thought he could handle a Physics H class.

    Nice to meet you all. This year I've realized that I have a very poor understanding of physics because anytime a problem is explained to me, it just goes out the other ear. My physics teacher is an old German man with a demon in his soul, but his class is one of my favorites and is probably the...
  21. yaman

    Why is the Heat equation solved with separation of variables but not with Fourier transformations?

    How did you find PF?: Years ago online forums were more visible. These days they are left behind social media. I searched Google and now I am here. Why in heat transfer books Fourier's partial differtial unsteady state heat transfer equation is solved with seperation of variables but not with...
  22. gmason85

    Thermal Paint Skeptic

    Hi all, Mechanical engineer by education; soon to have a MPhil in Architecture. Building Scientist/ Energy Efficiency consultant by trade. I have a decent physics background, but not an expert around the subject of radiative heat transfer. My posts will likely involve confirming bs from...
  23. H

    Derive Lorentz transformations in perturbation theory

    I've arrived to an expected answer, but I am not sure at all that the process was what the problem statement wants. First, I considered ##0=(t+\delta t)^2-(x+vt)^2-(t^2-x^2) \approx 2t \delta t - 2xvt - v^2t^2##. Ignoring ##O(v^2)## gives ##\delta t=vx##, i.e., ##t \rightarrow t+vx##. Keeping...
  24. Physics_nya

    Hello

    Hello everyone, my name is Physics-nya (which is a combination of "physics" and "the sound a cat makes" ), because I was attracted by the famous thought experiment "Schrodinger's cat" and has made up my mind to learn physics at an early age. I am now a senior high school student of grade 12 in...
  25. T

    What is the importance of spreadsheet modelling in Physics?

    Hello. I am a Physics teacher currently in Kathmandu. I am experienced in Edexcel IAL and in the past CIE and IB DP. I think a lot about the meanings of numbers, but have poor math skills in terms of calculus but am strong at spreadsheet modelling.
  26. Tommolo

    Online advanced physics and cosmology courses

    Hi! I'm new here! Let me introduce myself! I am Thomas and I have always been interested in science, cosmology and physics. Anyway, I have an equally strong passion for arts and humanities, and after all I decided to form myself as a journalist, which is my daily job. After years and years, I...
  27. B

    Misc. Airflow calculations for levitating a foam golf ball

    Im trying to find someone or a company who can do some calculations for me. I started with a fluid dynamics modeling company and they felt I would need a physics calculation. I need to a foam golf ball to be picked up by a column of air and held in place at aprox 10” until it is knocked off the...
  28. giodude

    Mass hanging on a steel wire

    Hi, I solved part (a) and will provide my solution below. However, I've been working on part (b) for quite a bit and reviewed the provided, relevant text a few times now but haven't been able to find what I'm missing: Solution (a): Using ##A = \frac{\pi \times d^{2}}{4}##, ##k =...
  29. R

    Rudin

    Hello everyone! I am a returned student after 15 years of being out of school. Physics is very challenging for me, especially taking it in a different language. I like this forum because the instructors here don't just give the answers to the problems students ask, but they help the students...
  30. A

    New member

    hello! I'm currently in an Intro to physics class, and I'm not the most physically inclined. I look forward to learning from you all!
  31. warisulimam

    Hello, I'm a Physics Major

    Hi there! My name's Waris and I'll be starting a physics degree in a few months. I've been independently studying undergrad material for about three years. I was out of practice for a while because of some issues at high school but I'm working to get back on track. I would love to participate...
  32. V

    B The longer path is faster?

    It's just a link, Unreal? [Mentor note: The thread title has been edited to be a bit more specific]
  33. K

    Hi..

    Hi, I'm a new member, interested in physics and relativity and new ways to think about our world. Cheers Chris
  34. R

    In the contact zone between geology and physics...

    My name is Ron Werner, Dutchman, living/working in Norway since 1992. My main interest is geology and I have worked for several museums and mineral-dealers during my life. Since 2000 I have worked for the Evje og Hornnes geomuseum Fennefoss in Evje, in the south of Norway. It is a small museum...
  35. stay_hungery

    This is a introduction of a hungery man.

    I hope to discuss with everyone who is interested in physics here and improve together! I'am reading Callen's book now,welcome to talk about things in this book.
  36. C

    I I'm calculating more energy out than I put in

    Hello everyone, I'm currently working on a physics problem involving the rotation of a 5 kilogram ##M=5## solid sphere subjected to a force of 5 newtons ##F=5##, and I've encountered an inconsistency in my calculations. I'm seeking guidance or insights into where I might have gone wrong. My...
  37. S

    Create a physics problem for me!

    Hello! Using concepts of physics 1 like kinamatics, dynamics, circular motion, pressure, newton's laws. Make me a physics question that needs basic calculus like integrals and derivaties to solve!
  38. C

    Prodigal Student

    Hi, my name's Cass. I finished my bachelors in physics last year. Kind've floating around I guess. I write code, play guitar, make art, and study Japanese. I hope to spend some time away from school and get my priorities straight then maybe go back to gradschool eventually. Nice to meet you!
  39. Mufeez

    A student here who is planning to switch to Physics from zoology

    Hello there, I am Mufeez. I am currently enrolled at QAU in the field of zoology. Didn't plan to study zoology so I am gonna drop it and try to move towards my main interest that is physics. Joined PF to learn physics and get help and make connections. Hope ya'll have a good day.
  40. cryforhelp104

    Calculating the Period of Fringe Pattern for Michelson Interferometer

    In a Michelson Interferometer when Mirror 1 is moved a distance Δ𝑑=𝜆0/2Δ, this path difference changes by 𝜆0, and each fringe moves to the position previously occupied by an adjacent fringe. Δ𝑑=𝑚(𝜆0/2) I also know from the equation for I0=2I0 - 2I0 cos (2kdL or 2wt) that the fringes shift by a...
  41. M

    How to Convert Meters to Kg?

    Distance and weight are two separate things so....the question cannot be answered?
  42. A

    Systems Engineer

    Startups in avant-garde technologies.
  43. S

    Universal information: How much is enough?

    A thought (it is probably as old as hills, but new to me): Physics advances by finding rules our observations obey. A good theory reduces the information needed to describe what has been observed. In each (most?) advance(s) we find that the universe actually contains (can be defined by) less...
  44. Ineedhelpwithphysics

    Two dimensional motion problem (kicking a soccer ball into the goal)

    I did this too fast idk if I'm wrong So for the x component use the formula d = rt / delta x = v*t 26 = vcos(theta) y component use the displacement formula 19.6 = vsin(theta) tan^-1(19.6/26) = 36.5 degrees the answer key says 20.2 degrees idk whats wrong
  45. I_Try_Math

    Tension in a bungee cord

    (a) x = 16.7 Since x > 4.88, k = k_2 = 111 N/m. T = F(16.7) = k_2*x = 111*16.7 = 1853.7 N The answer key says the correct tension is 2320 N. Any help is appreciated, I'm not seeing where my math is wrong.
  46. R

    Looking for Physics Ideas to brush-up the basics

    Hi, I am Ranish, Looking to learn more about Physics and ideas and to find answers for the questions surrounding it. Thank you for the invite i hope i can learn a lot from here, Thank you
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