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Branches of Physics
Physics is the most fundamental of all sciences and
therefore, branches of physics have evolved to
understand every underlying aspect of the physical
world. If you want to know, what are the branches of
physics, you have landed on the right page. This article
is an introduction to various physics branches. If you
are thinking of making a career in physics, do read this
article to get a bird's eye view of this vast subject.
Physics, in its beginning was known as, and is still
known in some places as 'Natural Philosophy'. Physics
then, had not specialized so much, as to be split into
hundreds of, even more specialized branches. Philosophy
is man's attempt in making sense of all that happens in
nature and to find the root cause behind everything. I
still choose to call it 'Natural Philosophy', as for me,
physics and philosophy are not two different things.
This article will give you a summary of all the main
branches of physics and their definition.
As physicists went on exploring nature at a deeper and
deeper level, different branches of physics evolved, as
specialized fields, with a coherent theoretical
structure. To describe and provide rationale, for all
that happens, from scales lesser than size of a nucleus,
to scales larger than galaxies, there is a different
branch of physics, at every level. That is because,
every branch is based on a set of principles or
approximations that best describe the phenomena at that
level. The division of physics into different branches
is artificial and is made for our own convenience of
understanding. Nature does not compartmentalize this
world, as its dynamics at every level, are all
connected.
The branches of physics can be broadly divided into two
types which are 'Theoretical Physics' and 'Experimental
Physics'. The reason for this is best understood in the
words of one of the greatest physicist ever, Prof.
Richard Feynman. I quote his words from the 'Feynman
Lectures on Physics':
"The principle of science, the definition almost is the
following: 'The test of all knowledge is experiment'.
Experiment is the sole judge of scientific 'truth.'. . .
Experiment itself. . Gives us hints. . But also needed
is 'imagination' to create from these hints the great
generalizations - to guess at the wonderful, simple, but
very strange patterns beneath them all. . And then to
experiment to check again, whether we have made the
right guess. This imagination process is so difficult,
that there is a division of labor in physics: there are
theoretical physicists who imagine, deduce and guess at
new laws, but do not experiment; and then there are
experimental physicists who experiment, imagine, deduce
and guess."
I think this completely explains why there is a
'division of labor' in physics into the two branches.
The fields are complementary to each other. Every branch
of physics has a theoretical discipline and an
experimental. Theory cannot be validated without
experiment and experiments cannot be performed without
theoretical basis and direction.
Physics Branches
Here is a list of main branches of physics, along with a
summary of what is studied in that particular branch.
Every branch of physics is further divided into smaller
sub-branches. As explained before, every one of these
branches except mathematical physics, has an
experimental and theoretical sub-division. The
classification of these branches of physics is
artificial and these branches overlap onto each other to
create further specialized fields.
Classical Mechanics
This is the oldest branch of physics which analytically
describes motion of all objects on the macroscopic
scales. It describes everything from why large objects
like balls bounce, why pendulum swings to why planets
revolve around the Sun! It describes 'mechanics' of all
kinds on the large scale and its classical, because it
cannot explain motion at atomic level. Fluid mechanics
is one specialized sub-branch of classical mechanics,
which describes the physics of all types of fluids.
Mathematical Physics
This is the branch of physics, which gives theoretical
physics its tools of analysis. Mathematics is the
language of nature and therefore if one wants to
understand nature, one must understand mathematics.
Mathematics brings precision to physics. It is the
branch which is an overlap of pure mathematics and
physics. Mathematical physics techniques form the
toolbox of a physicist. Just like a workman must use the
right kind of tools to get his job done, so must a
physicist use the right mathematical tools to solve a
problem! The more and more deeply we explore nature,
every new law discovered can only be expressed in a new
form of mathematics.
Classical Electrodynamics
This field is the most broadly applied of all the
branches of physics. Classical electrodynamics is based
on Maxwell's laws of electromagnetism, which describes
all kinds of electromagnetic phenomena from atomic to
global scales. It is the theoretical basis of optics,
telecommunication and many other sub-fields. Its domain
extends over all of nature, as the 'Electromagnetic
Force' is all pervading and we live in an
electromagnetic world.
Quantum Mechanics
This branch describes a new kind of mechanics, which can
explain phenomena at the sub-atomic level, which
classical mechanics fails to describe. It provides the
clearest picture of nature at the sub-atomic scales.
Quantum physics, is based on the principle of
uncertainty, and predicts all phenomena in terms of
probabilities. It describes a weird sub-atomic world,
which is totally different from the world at macroscopic
scales. Studying quantum physics requires quite a bit of
mathematical expertise and it is the theoretical basis
of all branches of physics, that describe phenomena at
atomic or sub-atomic scales. For more on this read,
'Basics of Quantum Mechanics for Dummies'.
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Thermodynamics and statistical physics is one of the
core branches of physics, which gives a theoretical
mechanism to describe the motion of and phenomena in
multi-particle systems. Even though a single particle
motion can be analyzed by quantum mechanics, it cannot
describe multi-particle systems analytically, as the
variables of calculation there are too many. So, a
statistical approach is needed that describes motion of
matter in bulk. Thermodynamics is a predecessor of
statistical mechanics. Statistical mechanics combined
with quantum mechanics, forms quantum statistical
mechanics.
Condensed Matter Physics
Condensed Matter Physics is a sub-branch of quantum
physics and statistical mechanics, which describes all
phenomena that occur in matter, which is in condensed
form. This includes everything from liquids, solid and
gases. The physics of semiconductor devices, which make
today's age of information technology possible, is a
result of research developments in condensed matter
physics. It describes all phenomena in bulk matter like
ferromagnetism, superfluidity and superconductivity.
Nuclear Physics
Nuclear physics describes all the phenomena that occur
at the level of the atomic nucleus. It deals with and
explains phenomena like radioactivity, nuclear fission
and nuclear fusion. Developments in nuclear physics led
to the production of nuclear weapons like the atom bomb,
the Hydrogen bomb and made nuclear energy source
available to mankind. For more on this, read 'List of
Radioactive Elements'.
Quantum Field theory
This is the physics which describes the physics of
particles, which are very small and very fast. It is
also known as particle physics. It is based on the three
theoretical foundations of quantum mechanics, special
theory of relativity and the concept of fields. It is
based on the unification of all these three foundations
and it describes the physics of fundamental particles of
matter. It is one of the most difficult branches of
physics, which describe the ultimate building blocks of
nature.
Non-Linear Dynamics
This is a sub-field of classical mechanics, which solves
the problems on macroscopic scales, which cannot be
solved by classical mechanics. It is an advanced branch
of mathematics, which attempts to solve non-linear
differential equations of motion, which are not amenable
to a solution by conventional techniques. A greater part
of it is also known as 'Chaos Theory', which delves in
to the organized chaos that exists in the macroscopic
world. It is the most happening branch of physics
currently. For more on this read, 'An Introduction to
Chaos Theory'.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy is the observational study of the universe in
all its manifestations and astrophysics (a confluence of
all branches of physics), is the theoretical basis,
which can explain all those phenomena. It is the most
all encompassing of all the branches of physics, which
has a singular goal of explaining every phenomenon that
occurs in the universe.
General Theory of Relativity and Cosmology
The general theory of relativity is the correct theory,
which describes gravitation at all scales. It interprets
gravity not as a force, but as a consequence of the
curvature of space-time. Space around massive objects
actually gets warped and bent. Gravity is the result of
this warping of space time. Special relativity unifies
space and time in to 'Spacetime' and general relativity
makes 'Spacetime' interact with matter. How much space
warps, depends on the content of matter and energy in
it. In simple words, general relativity is described by,
'Matter tells space how to bend, space tells matter how
to move!' For more read 'Does the Fourth(4th) Dimension
of Time Exist'.
The power of the principle of general relativity is
such, that it gave birth to the new science of
cosmology, which provides the framework, that can
describe the evolution of the Universe in totality! For
the first time, thanks to cosmology, physics can provide
an answer to the question, 'How was the Universe
Created? '.
This was a whirlwind tour of all the main branches of
physics. I hope, when somebody asks you, 'What are the
branches of physics? ', you will direct them to read my
article! There are many more specialized branches of
physics like 'Biophysics' (a confluence of biology and
physics), which describes the physics involved in
biological systems. Hope this article has given you an
idea of the vastness of physics and the power it
provides at your disposal!
By Gray Pilgrim
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