What is Physics: Definition and 993 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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. otiiblaq

    Introduction

    I hope to have a nice time in the physics forum. I am interested in much about the laws of physics with respect to our daily lives and hope to achieve more and increase my knowledge in physics with the physics forum. Thank you for accepting my registration.
  2. Anjish

    Critical frequency of Faraday Waves?

    TL;DR Summary: A fluid on a vertically vibrating plate will, upon reaching a certain frequency and acceleration, produce standing waves on its surface. These are called Faraday waves, first described by Michael Faraday in 1831. Faraday waves are still an active area of research today, more than...
  3. B

    Tension in a Two-Crate System on a Frictionless Surface

    for 4kg box: Fx = T m1a=T (4) (2.50) = T 10 = T for 6 kg box: Fx = Fa - T m2a = m2a - T 15 = 15 - T 15-15 = T 0 = T I assumed the tension would be the same for both boxes, they are supposed to be, so what did I do wrong and is the answer 10 or zero?
  4. ShadowKraz

    Interested, curious, and somewhat intelligent

    I am interested in many subjects; history, physics, biology, art... well, just about everything. Why? Because the only truly useless knowledge is the knowledge you don't have. My interest in the sciences mainly derives from three sources: 1) my Dad's ongoing interest, as a layman, in sub-atomic...
  5. mw3565

    I'm a person who loves physics.

    I'm an ordinary college student who likes physics, engineering mathematics, and electromagnetism. I'm not sure because it's my first time participating in an overseas forum, not a domestic one, but I look forward to your kind cooperation.
  6. kvidtr

    Hi Everyone!

    Hi everyone! I stumbled across this forum looking for help on my first year physics homework about ~5 months ago and have been lurking ever since. I really appreciate the nature of these forums in that the answer to a problem is rarely (if ever) explicitly given, but instead people try to poke...
  7. E

    Lab Exercise: Measuring "g" using Conservation of Energy

    Hi, so this is a lab in which we used an air track at an angle and a glider to gather some data through various trials, ultimately to calculate "g". L_glider = 10.15 cm x (photogate activation point) = 547.5 mm or 54.75 cm x_0 (release point) = 1800.0 mm or 180.00 cm (Δx)_midpoint = | x - x_0 |...
  8. R

    I A problem in the equations for Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity

    How did you find PF?: Google search I encountered a problem in the equations for Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity back when I was in high school in 1964. With the invention of the internet, I tried to discuss this with scientists in sci.physics.relativity, but most of the responses...
  9. Hem

    Am Hempstone Oruko a teacher of Mathematics and physics in Kenya

    Am a graduate of Nairobi University in Bachelor of education science (Physics and Mathematics)
  10. weafq

    University student

    Hi all can't wait to learn more about physics.
  11. C

    hello

    Hello, I have a degree in chemistry but recently started with radiochemistry work and so I figured the best place to get myself up to speed with the physics related areas is this forum. I used it a lot on another account more than 10 years ago and have learned a lot.
  12. Turnernater

    Senior Physics Undergrad!

    Hello! I am a returning college student majoring in Physics in the material science track. I have an interest in nuclear/particle physics and love conversing with the scientific community.
  13. warhammer

    Astronomy Good Book Recommendations on Solar Physics

    Hi, I'm planning to embark on a minor research project on Space Weather with a Professor. As part of getting ready for the project, I've been tasked to study certain important aspects of Solar Physics & understand conceptual ideas. Can anybody recommend good books or even descriptive papers on...
  14. RazzTazz

    B Energy paradox? Conservation of energy violated?

    If you have 3 observers, one at rest 0c, one at 0.8c, and one that moves between these 2 frames of reference. The observer that moves between the frames starts at 0c and accelerates all the way up to 0.8c. As it accelerates, the observer in the stationary frame sees its momentum, relativistic...
  15. D

    Electrical engineer with a great passion for physics

    I am an electrical engineer with a great passion for physics, and I live in Ottawa.
  16. krissturm

    Flow discharge between 2 open water bodies connected by a concrete sluice

    Hello, Looking for help with a physics problem. I am dealing with a problem regarding the flow discharge between 2 open water bodies connected by a concrete sluice with gates. The issue is that the channel is not straight but rather a trapezoid (image of the cross-section below). The discharge...
  17. tafahhum06

    Introduction!!

    Hi, I'm Tafahhum, a high school student from Bangladesh. I find physics fun, because it explains every thing in this world. Physics works everywhere, from inside of an atom to the huge universe-everywhere. I enjoy learning about the answers of every 'why' that comes to my mind, and...
  18. S

    introduction

    I am Shanjidah Tasfiah, a Postgraduate student of Physics at Khulna University, Bangladesh. Presently I am doing my thesis at the Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory in Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission as a Masters Program thesis student. I am working with different field sizes and...
  19. PeteFerg

    Allow me to introduce myself... but no wealth, no taste

    In at the deep end. Retired, mostly from IT. Eventual Physics graduate (it's a journey). Not on good terms with mathematics.
  20. Giovanni04

    Is this a good self-study program?

    Hi everyone, I'm a new here, this is my presentation https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/new-self-study-member.1061374/ I want to study physics for my own intrest and understanding of the universe. A few years ago, after high-school, I studied Halliday and Resnick quite thoroughly, both...
  21. Giovanni04

    Can Self-Study Propel a Deep Understanding of Physics?

    Hi my name is Giovanni, I'm from Italy and I'm 26 years old. I apologize for my english which might sound incorrect or weird sometimes :oldshy: I loved physics and astronomy since I was a child. My father is an astrophysics graduate, we used to have long conversations about the universe and...
  22. itsdavid

    Classical Starting IPhO preparation in grade 10 -- Calculus book suggestions

    STARTING IPHO. Hi guys, I am going to grade 10 this year and wanted to start physics olympiad preparation from basics. I dont know calc 1 too. Can you suggest me a good calculus book to get my hands on? Moreover, is it late to start my preparation? Thanks in advance.
  23. chwala

    Find the tension in the rope PQ

    My interest is on part (a), the steps are clear. I thought the final solution ought to be ##T- 500 =50 ×0.2## ##T=500+10 = 510N## Unless I am missing something here, same query on part (b).
  24. hello478

    Question about the energy of 2 blocks with a spring between them

    My attempt: my answer was b correct answer is d
  25. M

    Can Bell's Inequality Be Proven Using Protons, Neutrons, or Other Particles?

    Hello I am MOHD HANZALA I worked on bell's inequality where we measure spin of electron along different basis leading to the bell's inequality . My question is that can we prove bell's inequality through proton or neutron or other particle??
  26. L

    Researchers finds experimental evidence for a graviton-like particle

    Researchers find first experimental evidence for a graviton like particle in a quantum material https://phys.org/news/2024-03-experimental-evidence-graviton-particle-quantum.html A team of scientists from Columbia, Nanjing University, Princeton, and the University of Munster, writing in the...
  27. Akhum

    "New Member Interested in Physics"

    "I'm excited to join this community and share my passion for physics. In this post, I'll provide a brief introduction to myself, my background in physics, and my areas of interest. I'll also include any relevant supporting material or experiences to enrich the discussion."
  28. T

    Studying Academic Redemption: Bouncing Back After a Year Off Track

    Hello everyone, I'd like to share with you my current situation and my desire to redeem myself after a year off track due to a lack of interest in physics. I am aware of my past mistakes, but now I am determined to recover and dedicate myself seriously to my studies. Last year, I struggled...
  29. Somoth Ergai

    Did I Discover a New Physics Paradox?

    Amateur physics enthusiast. I watch a lot of physics explanation videos and one made me think of something. which would later become a paradox that i can't find any other examples of. So if that's the case I feel cool if I came up with one no one has considered before. That being said I know...
  30. Somoth Ergai

    B New Paradox Discovered, I Think

    User New here but this conundrum is something that occurred to me as I was watching a physics video and I have run out of ways to ask about this. So here I am. Ok first principle. the setup. let's say we have invented a perfect telescope on earth. such that we can resolve any object no matter...
  31. L

    What Questions Can You Ask About Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering?

    I've come here to ask any future questions I have regarding physics, mathematics or engineering. Thank you very much.
  32. Spaceuser

    2nd BSc or MSc in physics for physics-PhD in top program in USA

    TL;DR Summary: In summary. I have BSc in Chemistry with honours and want to make research in more theoritical physics oriented field. I don't afraid the studies and the hours needed but I want opinions for the best possible option (MSc or 2nd BSc), in terms of usefulness for my PhD application...
  33. D

    How Can Physics Teachers Expand Their Knowledge?

    I am a physics teacher who is constantly seeking to widen the knowledge of physics .
  34. J

    Hi everybody

    Hi I am an aircraft maintenance engineer reading about Aviation ,space and physics ( very amateurish level) are my hobbies
  35. M

    Hello, biophysics student here

    Hello all! I'm a physics student, planning to apply for a biophysics PhD program once I finish my undergrad. My main topics of interest are neuroscience and microbial communities. Originally I was just in physics because I liked the approach, but statistical mechanics showed just how...
  36. femaleinstemneedhelp

    Why Does Light Diminish with a Phase Difference of 5λ?

    1 exercise: The light at that point will diminish. Explanation: Since the waves are coherent, their phase difference depends on the difference in distance travelled. A path difference of 2 µm is equal to 5 wavelengths (λ = 400 nm). When the phase difference of the waves is 5λ, they are in...
  37. Username34

    Is a thrusting motion more powerful/deadly than a swinging one?

    Is the physics down below sound? I always thought the highest momentum is the most powerful. "Biomechanically, humans are REALLY good at throwing things and quite good at swinging as well. When it comes to thrusting we are good, but not as much.But the larger portion probably comes down to pure...
  38. T

    Engineering Stone dropped from an ascending balloon takes 10s to hit the ground -- Find the height of the balloon

    ay = -9.8. Vy = -9.8 + v0*Sin0. y = -4.9*t^2 + v0*t*Sin0. By using formula of y, my solution was -4.9(10s)^2 + (10m/s)(10s)Sin0. I assumed that y was equal to 0. Since -4.9 is m/s^2 the answer would be -490m + 100m*Sin0. Therefore I assumeed Sin0 = 490/100.
  39. Priyo137

    Seeking a platform to discuss physics

    As a physics enthusiast high-school student, I often run into troubles engaging with physics problems. In PF, I am going to seek a place for physics discussions. Thanks.
  40. madladkaiser

    New Member, I look forward to contributing and your kind cooperation

    Hello there, fellow physics enthusiasts, I am a mechanical engineer looking forward to pursuing physics academically. I am interested in gaining knowledge from this forum and connecting with students and scientists. Have a nice day, Madladkaiser
  41. 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...
  42. shmwot

    Is Switching Majors to Physics a Good Idea?

    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...
  43. T

    How Can Joining Online Forums Enhance Your Understanding of Physics?

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

    Can Physics Forums Help with Student Problems?

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

    Can Personal Interest Drive Mastery in Physics?

    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.
  46. 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...
  47. 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...
Back
Top