Outline of physics: Difference between revisions
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'''[[Physics]]''' – [[natural science]] that involves the study of [[matter]]<ref name="feynman">[[Richard Feynman]] begins [[The Feynman Lectures on Physics|his ''Lectures'']] with the [[atomic theory|atomic hypothesis]], as his most compact statement of all scientific knowledge: "If, in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed, and only one sentence passed on to the next generations ..., what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words? I believe it is ... that ''all things are made up of atoms – little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another. ...''" {{cite book |
'''[[Physics]]''' – [[natural science]] that involves the study of [[matter]]<ref name="feynman">[[Richard Feynman]] begins [[The Feynman Lectures on Physics|his ''Lectures'']] with the [[atomic theory|atomic hypothesis]], as his most compact statement of all scientific knowledge: "If, in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed, and only one sentence passed on to the next generations ..., what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words? I believe it is ... that ''all things are made up of atoms – little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another. ...''" {{cite book |
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|author=R.P. Feynman, R.B. Leighton, M. Sands |
|author=R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, M. Sands |
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|year=1963 |
|year=1963 |
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|title=[[The Feynman Lectures on Physics]] |
|title=[[The Feynman Lectures on Physics]] |
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|volume=1 |page=I-2 |
|volume=1 |page=I-2 |
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|isbn=0-201-02116-1}}</ref> and its [[motion (physics)|motion]] through [[spacetime]], along with related concepts such as [[energy]] and [[force]].<ref>{{cite book |
|isbn=0-201-02116-1}}</ref> and its [[motion (physics)|motion]] through [[spacetime]], along with related concepts such as [[energy]] and [[force]].<ref>{{cite book |
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|author=J.C. Maxwell |
|author=J. C. Maxwell |
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|year=1878 |
|year=1878 |
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|title=Matter and Motion |
|title=Matter and Motion |
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|url=http://books.google.com/?id=noRgWP0_UZ8C&printsec=titlepage&dq=matter+and+motion |
|url=http://books.google.com/?id=noRgWP0_UZ8C&printsec=titlepage&dq=matter+and+motion |
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|page=9 |
|page=9 |
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|publisher= |
|publisher=D. Van Nostrand] |
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|quote=Physical science is that department of knowledge which relates to the order of nature, or, in other words, to the regular succession of events. |
|quote=Physical science is that department of knowledge which relates to the order of nature, or, in other words, to the regular succession of events. |
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|isbn=0-486-66895-9}}</ref> More broadly, it is the general analysis of [[nature]], conducted in order to understand how the [[universe]] behaves.<ref>{{cite book |
|isbn=0-486-66895-9}}</ref> More broadly, it is the general analysis of [[nature]], conducted in order to understand how the [[universe]] behaves.<ref>{{cite book |
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|title=University Physics with Modern Physics |
|title=University Physics with Modern Physics |
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|page=2 |
|page=2 |
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|publisher= |
|publisher=Addison Wesley |
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|isbn= |
|isbn= |
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|quote=Physics is an ''experimental'' science. Physicists observe the phenomena of nature and try to find patterns and principles that relate these phenomena. These patterns are called physical theories or, when they are very well established and of broad use, physical laws or principles.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |
|quote=Physics is an ''experimental'' science. Physicists observe the phenomena of nature and try to find patterns and principles that relate these phenomena. These patterns are called physical theories or, when they are very well established and of broad use, physical laws or principles.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |
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|[[Quantum mechanics]] |
|[[Quantum mechanics]] |
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|[[Path integral formulation]], [[scattering theory]], [[Schrödinger equation]], [[quantum field theory]], [[quantum statistical mechanics]] |
|[[Path integral formulation]], [[scattering theory]], [[Schrödinger equation]], [[quantum field theory]], [[quantum statistical mechanics]] |
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|[[ |
|[[Born–Oppenheimer approximation|Adiabatic approximation]], [[correspondence principle]], [[free particle]], [[Hamiltonian (quantum mechanics)|Hamiltonian]], [[Hilbert space]], [[identical particles]], [[matrix mechanics]], [[Planck's constant]], [[Operator (mathematics)|operators]], [[Quantum|quanta]], [[Quantization (physics)|quantization]], [[quantum entanglement]], [[quantum harmonic oscillator]], [[quantum number]], [[quantum tunneling]], [[Schrödinger's cat]], [[Dirac equation]], [[Spin (physics)|spin]], [[wavefunction]], [[wave mechanics]], [[wave–particle duality]], [[zero-point energy]], [[Pauli exclusion principle]], [[Heisenberg uncertainty principle]] |
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|[[Particle physics]] |
|[[Particle physics]] |
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|[[Accelerator physics]], [[nuclear physics]], [[nuclear astrophysics]], [[particle astrophysics]], [[particle physics phenomenology]] |
|[[Accelerator physics]], [[nuclear physics]], [[nuclear astrophysics]], [[particle astrophysics]], [[particle physics phenomenology]] |
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|[[Standard Model]], [[quantum field theory]], [[quantum chromodynamics]], [[Electroweak interaction|electroweak theory]], [[effective field theory]], [[lattice field theory]], [[lattice gauge theory]], [[gauge theory]], [[supersymmetry]], [[Grand |
|[[Standard Model]], [[quantum field theory]], [[quantum chromodynamics]], [[Electroweak interaction|electroweak theory]], [[effective field theory]], [[lattice field theory]], [[lattice gauge theory]], [[gauge theory]], [[supersymmetry]], [[Grand Unified Theory]], [[superstring theory]], [[M-theory]] |
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|[[Fundamental force]] ([[gravity|gravitational]], [[electromagnetism|electromagnetic]], [[weak interaction|weak]], [[strong interaction|strong]]), [[elementary particle]], [[Spin (physics)|spin]], [[antimatter]], [[spontaneous symmetry breaking]], [[Membrane (M-theory)|brane]], [[String (physics)|string]], [[quantum gravity]], [[theory of everything]], [[vacuum energy]] |
|[[Fundamental force]] ([[gravity|gravitational]], [[electromagnetism|electromagnetic]], [[weak interaction|weak]], [[strong interaction|strong]]), [[elementary particle]], [[Spin (physics)|spin]], [[antimatter]], [[spontaneous symmetry breaking]], [[Membrane (M-theory)|brane]], [[String (physics)|string]], [[quantum gravity]], [[theory of everything]], [[vacuum energy]] |
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*[[Isaac Newton]] – Laid the groundwork for [[classical mechanics]], made significant contributions to the field of [[optics]] and co-invented [[calculus]]. Often considered the greatest physicist of all time. |
*[[Isaac Newton]] – Laid the groundwork for [[classical mechanics]], made significant contributions to the field of [[optics]] and co-invented [[calculus]]. Often considered the greatest physicist of all time. |
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*[[James Clerk Maxwell]] - Formulated a set of equations that united previously unrelated observations, experiments, and equations of electricity, magnetism, and optics into a consistent theory. |
*[[James Clerk Maxwell]] - Formulated a set of equations that united previously unrelated observations, experiments, and equations of electricity, magnetism, and optics into a consistent theory. |
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*[[Albert Einstein]] – Generally considered greatest scientist of the 20th century. Developed both the [[special relativity|Special]] and [[general relativity|General]] [[ |
*[[Albert Einstein]] – Generally considered greatest scientist of the 20th century. Developed both the [[special relativity|Special]] and [[general relativity|General]] [[theories of relativity]] and proved the existence of atoms beyond doubt. |
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*[[Niels Bohr]] – made fundamental contributions to understanding [[atom]]ic structure and [[quantum mechanics]]. Widely considered one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century. |
*[[Niels Bohr]] – made fundamental contributions to understanding [[atom]]ic structure and [[quantum mechanics]]. Widely considered one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century. |
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*[[Robert Oppenheimer]] – "Father of the atomic bomb." |
*[[Robert Oppenheimer]] – "Father of the atomic bomb." |
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*[[List of optical topics]] |
*[[List of optical topics]] |
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*[[List of physicists]] |
*[[List of physicists]] |
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*[[List of |
*[[List of physics journals]] |
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*[[List of scientific units named after people]] |
*[[List of scientific units named after people]] |
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*[[Index of wave articles]] |
*[[Index of wave articles]] |
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*[http://www.mica-vw.org/wiki/index.php/Popular_Talks Meta Institute for Computational Physics - Popular Talks] |
*[http://www.mica-vw.org/wiki/index.php/Popular_Talks Meta Institute for Computational Physics - Popular Talks] |
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*[http://video.mit.edu/channel/physics Physics | Channel | MIT Video] |
*[http://video.mit.edu/channel/physics Physics | Channel | MIT Video] |
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*[http://www.phys.uu.nl/~thooft/theorist.html Theoretical Physics as a Challenge (website with outline of physics) by [[Gerard |
*[http://www.phys.uu.nl/~thooft/theorist.html Theoretical Physics as a Challenge (website with outline of physics) by [[Gerard 't Hooft]]] |
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*[http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/ |
*[http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/ ''The Feynman Lectures on Physics''], 3 vols., free online, Caltech & The Feynman Lectures Website] |
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{{Physics-footer}} |
{{Physics-footer}} |
Revision as of 17:35, 14 March 2014
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to physics:
Physics – natural science that involves the study of matter[1] and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force.[2] More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.[3][4][5]
Nature of physics
Physics can be described as all of the following:
- An academic discipline – one with academic departments, curricula and degrees; national and international societies; and specialized journals.
- A scientific field (a branch of science) – widely-recognized category of specialized expertise within science, and typically embodies its own terminology and nomenclature. Such a field will usually be represented by one or more scientific journals, where peer-reviewed research is published. There are several geophysics-related scientific journals.
- A natural science – one that seeks to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world using empirical and scientific method.
- A physical science – one that studies non-living systems.
- A biological science – one that studies the role of physical processes in living organisms. See Outline of biophysics.
- A natural science – one that seeks to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world using empirical and scientific method.
Overview
Physics started with a philosophical commitment to simplicity. It should not be considered a difficult subject (although it is deep); one can learn classical physics on a playground, which describes the motion of balls, swings, slides and merry-go-rounds.
- Note: the Theory column below contains links to articles with infoboxes at the top of their respective pages which list the major concepts.
Branches
- Biophysics
- Classical physics
- Acoustics
- Fluid dynamics
- Geophysics
- Quantum physics
- Thermodynamics
- Theoretical physics
History
General concepts
Field | Articles |
---|---|
General concepts | Gravity, light, physical system, physical observation, physical quantity, physical state, physical unit, physical theory, physical experiment |
Theoretical concepts | Mass–energy equivalence, particle, physical field, physical interaction, physical law, fundamental force, physical constant, wave |
Basic quantities | Space, length, time, mass, electric charge, energy, matter, potential energy, force, momentum, velocity, acceleration, entropy, temperature |
Subfields | Acoustics, aerodynamics, classical mechanics, condensed matter physics, cosmology, dynamics, electromagnetism, hydrodynamics, kinematics, mathematical physics, mechanics, optics, plasma physics, quantum mechanics, relativity, statics, thermodynamics |
Famous physicists
- Archimedes – discovered the laws of flotation and developed Archimedes' principle.[6]
- Ibn al-Haytham – Father of optics and discovered reflection and refraction.
- Galileo Galilei – "Father of modern physics."[citation needed].
- Isaac Newton – Laid the groundwork for classical mechanics, made significant contributions to the field of optics and co-invented calculus. Often considered the greatest physicist of all time.
- James Clerk Maxwell - Formulated a set of equations that united previously unrelated observations, experiments, and equations of electricity, magnetism, and optics into a consistent theory.
- Albert Einstein – Generally considered greatest scientist of the 20th century. Developed both the Special and General theories of relativity and proved the existence of atoms beyond doubt.
- Niels Bohr – made fundamental contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum mechanics. Widely considered one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century.
- Robert Oppenheimer – "Father of the atomic bomb."
- Richard Feynman – Expanded the theory of quantum electrodynamics, and developed the tool known as Feynman diagrams.
- Stephen Hawking – made fundamental contributions to black hole physics and cosmology. Also authored popular books on these subjects.
Lists
- List of common physics notations
- List of equations in classical mechanics
- List of important publications in physics
- List of laws in science
- List of letters used in mathematics and science
- List of noise topics
- List of optical topics
- List of physicists
- List of physics journals
- List of scientific units named after people
- Index of wave articles
- Variables commonly used in physics
See also
- Category:Concepts in physics
- Category:Physics-related lists
- Elementary physics formulae
- Glossary of classical physics
- List of physics concepts in primary and secondary education curricula
Notes
- ^ Richard Feynman begins his Lectures with the atomic hypothesis, as his most compact statement of all scientific knowledge: "If, in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed, and only one sentence passed on to the next generations ..., what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words? I believe it is ... that all things are made up of atoms – little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another. ..." R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, M. Sands (1963). The Feynman Lectures on Physics. Vol. 1. p. I-2. ISBN 0-201-02116-1.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ J. C. Maxwell (1878). Matter and Motion. D. Van Nostrand]. p. 9. ISBN 0-486-66895-9.
Physical science is that department of knowledge which relates to the order of nature, or, in other words, to the regular succession of events.
- ^ H.D. Young, R.A. Freedman (2004). University Physics with Modern Physics (11th ed.). Addison Wesley. p. 2.
Physics is an experimental science. Physicists observe the phenomena of nature and try to find patterns and principles that relate these phenomena. These patterns are called physical theories or, when they are very well established and of broad use, physical laws or principles.
- ^ S. Holzner (2006). Physics for Dummies. Wiley. p. 7. ISBN 0-470-61841-8.
Physics is the study of your world and the world and universe around you.
- ^ Note: The term 'universe' is defined as everything that physically exists: the entirety of space and time, all forms of matter, energy and momentum, and the physical laws and constants that govern them. However, the term 'universe' may also be used in slightly different contextual senses, denoting concepts such as the cosmos or the philosophical world.
- ^ Eminent scientists, Published by scholastic India pvt. Ltd.
External links
- AIP.org is the website of the American Institute of Physics
- IOP.org is the website of the Institute of Physics
- APS.org is the website of the American Physical Society
- SPS National is the website of the American Society of Physics Students
- CAP.ca is the website of the Canadian Association of Physicists
- EPS.org is the website of the European Physical Society
- Meta Institute for Computational Physics - Popular Talks
- Physics | Channel | MIT Video
- Theoretical Physics as a Challenge (website with outline of physics) by Gerard 't Hooft
- The Feynman Lectures on Physics, 3 vols., free online, Caltech & The Feynman Lectures Website]