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.

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  1. Lao Tzu

    Questing for the unification of mathematics and my intuition

    Howdy from West Virginia!! If you would have told me 30 years ago that I'd be researching physics and math for fun, I would have said, "Are you high.... and by the way, what is physics?!?" I'm obsessed with all things science, and tickled by all things quantum. I became interested in science and...
  2. robotkid786

    Physics How important is python for theoretical physics?

    Hey guys, I'm a first year student studying theoretical physics in England. My physics modules include a fair bit of python programming and I want to apply to ICGs cosmology PhD in England. Can I escape learning python by choosing maths modules?
  3. srnixo

    Understanding Time Measurement in Physics: Uncertainty and Calculations

    So as you can see in the image, I have noted the time in the [time column (s) ] on the table after conducting the experiment at home using the application phyphox. And now, I have some questions to fill in the remaining gaps: The first question: about ΔH (m) : Should I set it equal to zero...
  4. Marco211298

    What is the Role of Physics in Mechanical Engineering?

    Hi everyone, i’m Marco and i am here to learn about physics! I am a mechanical technician from Italy.
  5. J

    Find out kinetic Energy using Rutherford Formula

    Hello everyone, I am working on this problem and I think I almost solved it, but then I noticed, that I do not know what values I have for dn, n and dθ. Can anyone help me with this?
  6. abrogard

    Forces Required For Steeling A Blade?

    A question, this. Something I would like to know. Practical physics I think. 'Applied physics' I believe. I wondered at the purpose and efficacy of 'steeling' knives and learned that the process is intended to repair damage to an edge rather than 'sharpen' in the sense of 'create a sharp...
  7. VeryNice

    Physics Extended Essay about Gauss' law and/or Lorentz force

    Hi. This is not exactly a homework problem, but I'm posting to ask for help for my extended essay. I am doing the IB (international baccalaureate) program and we are required to write a 4000 words extended essay on any subject. I decided to do mine on physics (through process of elimination...
  8. Overdose_

    Finding the focal length of a converging lens with VERY limited info

    This is the solution but I do not understand??? How could they just assume the object distance equals 2f? No magnification is given here. We know the candle produces a real image and the distance is limited, so that means it must be somewhere between the principal focus, the center of curvature...
  9. Skoceko

    What are the latest developments in discrete Quantum Field Theories?

    I have been interested in physics for a very long time. Initially in high school celestial mechanics and soon afterwards quantum mechanics. During my chemistry studies I specialized in quantum chemistry at the end of my bachelor and continued to do a Bachelor and Master in pure Mathematics, with...
  10. M

    Why kinetic energy of system of particles is not equal to p^2/2m

    It is good for the people who wants to know physics and it's beauty
  11. CallMeDirac

    How great is the overlap of Philosophy and Physics?

    For much of physics, its language is fundamentally math, but to a certain point, does philosophical thinking ever play an important part in creating or exploring physics? It would seem, at least to me, that there is some significant overlap, given that much of understanding physics can't quite...
  12. BugKingpin

    Exploring the Physics of Gene Expression: A Math/Physics Major's Perspective

    Hello everyone, I am interested in researching the underlying physics of gene expression. I'm a junior in a math/physics double bachelors program.
  13. K

    I Jonathan Oppenheim, "A postquantum theory of classical gravity?"

    in the news String Theory gets Competition: A New Attempt to Solve Physics' Biggest Mystery Sabine Hossenfelder based on Jonathan Oppenheim, "A postquantum theory of classical gravity?", Jonathan Oppenheim et al, "Gravitationally induced decoherence vs space-time diffusion: testing the...
  14. M

    Free Researcher as physics engineer

    I am a physic Engineer, researcher and I do search on nuclear and paticle physic. I need some basic reaearch on physic at the last years and I belive that you can answer my questions. If not enough these inform me , please inform me which information need you to me. Thank you. Best regards...
  15. Greg Bernhardt

    Physics Award

    Please select up to 3 members who were most impactful in the Physics forums in 2023. This is a popular vote. Polls were created by weighing activity and measure of helpfulness. Everyone nominated should feel honored. Many more could be added to this poll, we can never realistically add everyone...
  16. T

    Admissions How Can I Overcome Limited Research Experience for Grad School in Physics?

    Alright so here's the deal: I graduated recently (spring '23) from Ohio State University with a BS in physics. I graduated with honors and magna cum laude (3.8 ish gpa). I took the general GRE and got 162 verbal, 165 quant, and 4.5 writing. I spent some time in a master program to pursue...
  17. T

    I Understanding Ground State Degeneracy in the Transverse Ising Model

    Hi all, I was wondering if there was a reference/textbook where the degenerate perturbation calculation for the Transverse Ising model was treated fully. I want to better understand how in the weak magnetic field limit, the ground state degeneracy only lifts at N'th order in perturbation theory...
  18. Ben Messer

    Is Sabine Hossenfelder the Key to Unlocking New Theories in Physics?

    Neil deGrasse Tyson has been a great "goto" and respected physicist for me to follow online. I've read Einstein's biography and have been fascinated with the world as theorized by some of the greatest minds and proofs. Recently, I've come across a name I've never known. Admittedly, this is a...
  19. L

    Two point masses, where is the force zero?

    Hi, I had no problems calculating parts a and b, but I am having problems with task c For ##F## I got the following, with ##\vec{r}= \left(\begin{array}{c} x \\\ y \\\ 0 \end{array}\right)## , ##\vec{r}_1= \left(\begin{array}{c} -a \\\ 0 \\\ 0 \end{array}\right)## and ##\vec{r}_2=...
  20. P

    Fortran Errors in Fortran code for solving Laplace's equation in 3D

    hey everyone. I wrote a code in Fortran to calculate potential values or solve the Laplace equation inside a cube according to the boundary conditions mentioned in the code. this is my code: program laplace_cubic implicit none REAL*8 :: LX, LY, LZ, DELTA, MAX_ERR, ERR INTEGER :: NX, NY...
  21. Leticia

    Hello! I'm an undergrad student looking to discuss physics

    Hello! I'm in sixth semester of Physics undergrad, I'm looking for a place to talk to other physics students and discuss interesting problems and questions. I'm happy to meet you!
  22. star33

    Carnival Swing Question, I am severely stuck

    I found the x and y components and then divided the two equations to see if I can solve for the angle but that did not work. I have been at this for two hours, please help me.
  23. Z

    What are some resources for learning about physics as a hobbyist?

    I am a math PhD working in software/technology who is a physics hobbyist. I’ve gone through MIT 8.01 - 8.05 courses and watched and worked through a number of additional videos and problems. My interest is mostly getting exposure to more ideas through the community. I don’t plan on trying to...
  24. Ihsan

    Continuum Physics: Balance of Linear Momentum or Cauchy first equation of motion

    Hi, unfortunately, I am not getting anywhere with the following task and I try solve it
  25. AndreasC

    A Greatest of Einstein's papers

    I'm wondering what are in people's opinions the "must read" papers of Einstein. I concentrate more on general relativity but also other stuff. Reviews by Einstein and maybe other important contemporary papers would also be welcome, as well as maybe modern commentary on them.
  26. S

    Calculate the resistance to add in parallel to balance this bridge circuit

    The reading on the voltmeter is 0. I figure the potential drop through line AB must be the same as the potential drop through AC (since voltmeter is zero). As such, the 10 Ohm resistor has the same as the effective resistance of the parallel branch. 1/10 = 1/8 + 1/R 1/R = -0.025 R = -40 Ohms...
  27. S

    What are the key areas of interest in physics and other related sciences?

    I wanted to join this forum because of my interest in physics and the fact that I am learning it. I would say that I enjoy every area of physics, there is not one that does not interest me. In addition to physics, I am also interested in forensics, mathematics and a little bit of chemistry and...
  28. T

    I Why is the Cross Product Used in Mathematics? Understanding its Role and History

    So I do know that there does exist a generalization of the cross product (the exterior product), but this question does not concern that (and I would prefer it not ) I know that the cross product (that Theodore Frankel, for example, calls "the most toxic operation in math") works in 3D only...
  29. Theo2907

    How Can an Applied Physics Student Benefit from Academic Discussions?

    Hi All, My name's Théo I am currently finishing up my Bachelor's thesis at TU Delft and working on some other projects in a research group. I will be posting some questions I have on here and try to participate in as many conversations as I can. I want to build experience in academic...
  30. A

    Physics Mediocre, But Passionate Physics Student--Jobs in General Relativity?

    I'm a mediocre physics student (at best) at an Ivy League institution, and I'm passionate about general relativity. My dream is simply to do research in the field, even though I will never be a superstar or pioneer. Finally, I'm planning to complete a Master's in astrophysics or physics...
  31. N

    Problem on Differential Pulleys

    Let the radius of the larger sheave in the upper pulley be r1, and the radius of the smaller sheave in this pulley be r2. Given, the larger sheave has n notches in its circumference and the smaller sheave, (n - 1) notches. Therefore, 2*pi*r1 corresponds to n notches, and 2*pi*r2 corresponds to...
  32. N

    What sparked Nirmalya's passion for Physics?

    Hi, I am Nirmalya. I am from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. I have a lot of interest in Physics.
  33. Grandpa04

    Civil engineering student

    Hi im a civil engineering student who's always been interested in physics since i was young, am taking classes in physics now.
  34. birdhouse

    Exploring Opportunities in Physics: From Undergrad to Grad School and Beyond

    Hey all, I finished an undergraduate degree in physics (conc: computational) last winter and I'm looking into grad schools and trying to work in field while I take a little time off from school. My physics education might be a little lacking but I am looking forward to growing with your...
  35. EcSolticia

    Goal-oriented aspiring mathematician and mathematical physicist

    Hello, I am Quinn EcSolticia. I value rationality and human intellect; whilst my main interest lies in mathematics and theoretical physics. I am currently an 18 Y/O student, but I have a deeply clarified purpose that guides my life which I do not think might really change very easily in my...
  36. Gabriel Mwamlima

    Is Gabriel Mwamlima's Physics Journey at the University of Malawi Inspiring?

    Hello, I am new here. I am Gabriel Mwamlima from Malawi currently in the third year at the University of Malawi
  37. B

    Dead simple physics question (still a puzzle to me)

    an assumption being that since the M ( that is mass is a constant for the vehicle ) and a being the same as if the vehicle were to have been crashed into a stationary obstacle, that F would be the same as if said vehicle were to have been crashed into a stationary obstacle and not another...
  38. M

    Canonical partition function for two coupled oscillators

    I got the hamiltonians for n1 and n2 as (n1+1/2)hw and (n2+1/2)hw. Since the an ensemble is made by N distinguishable pairs of quantum oscillators, the general canonical partition function for the system is 1/N!((sum(-BH(n1))sum(-BH(n2))), where B is the thermodynamic beta. I got to the step...
  39. D

    Thermo Final Review - specific heat for ideal gas

    TL;DR Summary: why is the answer "all of the above"? Could someone explain why the correct answer is all of the above? I understand that Cv implies a constant volume process, but what about the other two?
  40. M

    How can I solve these GHZ, 3 qubit quantum state problems?

    TL;DR Summary: I have spent all day on these 2 problems but i cannot solve them. Can somebody give me any clue on the solution?
  41. MantisShrimp

    How much force can a truck seat back cushion absorb during a collision?

    I do not know much about this, please help. My truck seat back cushion is 2" thick. Truck A is ~5,700 lbs from google. 2011 f-150 super cab 6.5ft bed. Truck B is ~5775. 2015 GMC Yukon xl slt. If truck A is stopped and braked and truck B hits truck A going 45-55mph creating a force of...
  42. o79

    Sinusoidal Radiation Statements (T/F)

    Which of the following are true for sinusoidal radiation? 1) The electric field and the magnetic field have the same magnitude at the same point in space. 2) The electric field is perpendicular to the magnetic field. 3) The source of the radiation is oscillating charges. 4) The radiation pattern...
  43. M

    Exploring the World of Physics: A Warm Welcome to Newcomer Mateo

    Hi! I am Mateo, and I'm interested in physics!
  44. thaPhysicsPerson

    How Can a High School Student Improve Their AP Physics 1 Grade?

    Im going to make this quick High School Student currently in AP Physics 1 with strong math background(Currently in Calc BC) Problem: Consistently stuck at a B+ no matter how much practice Goal: Try to reach at-least an A- Issue: I find tests consist of materials that I haven't practiced before...
  45. helloooooworld

    Other Long-term challenging physics project for high school

    I'm currently a senior in high school and i'm looking for a challenging physics project to do for my physics class since we are supposed to do one during our whole senior year. I first tried to look into fusors but my parents are scared it might be too dangerous -- what are some challenging...
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