This pure science is composed of different disciplines that study different phenomena.
As a science, physics has been a discipline that has endowed humanity with great knowledge.
In addition, it has been a discipline of fundamental importance to understand how different phenomena occur, from mundane as the fall of an apple to the ground to the understanding of the movement of the stars in the night sky.
In this articlewe will mention 11 of the most remarkable branches of physics, explaining what their object of study is and in what contexts they are used.
- Recommended article: “The 50 main branches of Medicine (and their fields of study)”
Physics, a pure science
Before going into more detail about the different branches that constitute physics, it is important to emphasize that this science is what is called a pure or natural science.
The pure sciences are those that try to explain why the world is like this and what composes it behaves in a certain way, elaborating theories that try to find the mysteries behind the properties of time, space, energy and matter.
Given the long history of this science, there are many who consider, taking a very puritanical view of what it is and what is not science, as the only real science, indicating that others in which it is not possible to have a high index of precision such as medicine, science or biology are weaker sciences or directly cannot be included as scientific disciplines.
However, although physics is very precise at the theoretical level, its isolated knowledge of the real world can turn out to be somewhat counterproductive. It is for this reason thatthis science has developed several branches, which try to explain natural phenomena taking a theoretical-practical visionand combining laws, theories and discoveries frombiology, chemistry, astronomy, perception and a host of varied disciplines.
Branches of Physics: which ones are there and what do they study?
Belowwe explain the 11 most remarkable branches of physics, in addition to giving examples of some disciplines that benefit from them.
1. Optics
It is the study of the phenomena produced by light or related to it, such as refraction and reflection, the behavior of visible light, ultraviolet and infrared rays, among others.
By studying the behavior of light, this branch of physics makes it possible to build instruments such as microscopes and telescopes.
Optics acquires great importance in disciplines such as ophthalmology, astronomy, medicine, optometry and photography.
2. Mechanics
Try to investigate the behavior of physical bodies when they moveand exert or receive some kind of force.
The word physical body refers to any element that may present or be involved in some kind of force dynamics. Thus, this branch studies from very small particles of matter to large objects such as parts of an engine, airplanes, steroids and any other imaginable.
3. Acoustics
In essence, this branch of physics is responsible for studying sound and its properties. Sound is the vibration of particles that our ear picks up.
Through acoustics, we study how to produce and transmit a sound, as well as see what is the best way to be captured and what effects this sound exerts.
4. Thermodynamics
In essence, and partly related to mechanics, thermodynamics is responsible for the study of the effects of heat, energyand forces on a system.
5. Electromagnetism
Electricity and magnetism are two energies that are related and interact with each other. For example, an electric current produces a magnetic field, and a magnetic field can cause charge movement.
Through the study of these two energies, instruments such as the compass and electronic devices have been developed, in addition to allowing to calculate what is the potential necessary for electricity to pass through a cable without short circuits occurring.
6. Fluid mechanics
In essence, it is the study of the flow of gases and liquids. It calculates the forces and dynamics of non-solid substances.
Disciplines that incorporate in their day to day knowledge extracted from fluid mechanics are aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.
Thanks to this branch of physics it is possible to work on how to make airplanes faster with less air resistance or, also, to see how to make liquids such as water or oil flow through the aqueducts in the most efficient way.
7. Quantum mechanics
The goal of this science is to study how light and matter behave, and the interactions they establish between them. It does this by looking at the smallest elements of nature, that is, atoms and subatomic particles: neutrons, protons, electrons, quarks, hadrons…
It also studies X-rays, gamma rays, nuclear and electromagnetic radiation.
8. Biophysics
It is a branch of biology, but it studies biological phenomenaand organisms taking its own view of physics.
It studies the physical laws that explain how energy enters an organism and is used, keeping that organism alive. For example, through biophysics it is possible to understand neural interactions and how the nerve impulse travels through the brain.
9. Nuclear physics
It is responsible for studying the atomic nucleus, its interactions with other atoms and particles, nuclear energy, fusions and fissions of molecules and radiation.
It is closely related to quantum mechanics, and has allowed the development of techniques such as the use of X-rays for the diagnosis of injuries, treatments for diseases such as cancer, as well as being useful for the use of nuclear energy.
However, it has also been the science that has made it possible to develop nuclear weapons and that has been responsible for great human tragedies such as Chernobyl.
10. Geophysics
Study the Earth with the techniques and instruments that physics has provided. It covers all those phenomena that are involved with the structure, physical conditions and development that our planet has had throughout its existence.
Through geophysics it is possible to understand the movement of tectonic plates, the eruption of volcanoes and the evolution of the earth’s surface.
11. Astrophysics
Celestial bodies, such as planets, stars, steroids and so on, follow physical laws that explain how they move, how they orbit within a planetary system and how this same system travels through its galaxy.
Astrophysics studies all this, and it is a branch of astronomy but itis responsible for providing astronomers’ knowledge with the perspective of physics.
References
- Godfrey-Smith, P. (2003). Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science.
- Holzner, S. (2006). Physics for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
- Kellert, S.H. (1993). In the Wake of Chaos: Unpredictable Order in Dynamical Systems. University of Chicago Press.
- Marion, Jerry B. (1984). Classical dynamics of particles and systems. I reversed.
- Singer, C. (2008). A Short History of Science to the 19th Century. Streeter Press.
- Walsh, K.M. (1 June 2012). “Plotting the Future for Computing in High-Energy and Nuclear Physics”. Brookhaven National Laboratory.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.