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Introduction To Physics

This document provides an introduction to physics by defining what physics is, discussing its main goals and fields of study. It explains that physics seeks to understand the fundamental laws of the universe at the most basic level through both theoretical and applied research. The key fields covered include classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics, solid-state physics, and nuclear/particle physics. It also discusses cross-disciplinary fields and provides an overview of the International System of Units used in physics.

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74 views6 pages

Introduction To Physics

This document provides an introduction to physics by defining what physics is, discussing its main goals and fields of study. It explains that physics seeks to understand the fundamental laws of the universe at the most basic level through both theoretical and applied research. The key fields covered include classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics, solid-state physics, and nuclear/particle physics. It also discusses cross-disciplinary fields and provides an overview of the International System of Units used in physics.

Uploaded by

SrynnE
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to Physics

What is Physics?
Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences.
Its goal is to learn how the Universe works at the most fundamental level—and
to discover the basic laws by which it operates.
Theoretical physics concentrates on developing the theory and mathematics of
these laws
Applied physics focuses attention on the application of the principles of physics to
practical problems.
Experimental physics lies at the intersection of physics and engineering
experimentalphysicists have the theoretical knowledge of theoretical physicists, and
they know how to build and work with scientific equipment
Fields of Physics
Classical mechanics is the study the motion of bodies according to Newton’s laws of motion, and is
the subject of this course.
Electricity and magnetism are two closely related phenomena that are together considered a single
field of physics.
Quantum mechanics describes the peculiar motion of very small bodies (atomic sizes and smaller).
Optics is the study of light.
Acoustics is the study of sound.
Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are closely related fields that study the nature of heat.
Solid-state physics is the study of solids—most often crystalline metals.
Plasma physics is the study of plasmas (ionized gases).
Atomic, nuclear, and particle physics study of the atom, the atomic nucleus, and the particles that
make up the atom. • Relativity includes Albert Einstein’s theories of special and general relativity.
Special relativity describes the motion of bodies moving at very high speeds (near the speed of
light), while general relativity is Einstein’s theory of gravity.
Fields of Cross-disciplinary Physics

Astrophysics (physics of astronomy),


Geophysics (physics of geology),
Biophysics (physics of biology),
Chemical physics (physics of chemistry),
Mathematical physics (mathematical theories
related to physics).
SI Units
SI units (which stands for Syst`eme International
d’unit´es) are based on the meter as the base unit
of length, the kilogram as the base unit of mass,
and the second as the base unit of time.
SI units also define four other base units (the
ampere, kelvin, candela, and mole)
Origin of Units
SIunits were originally based mostly on the properties of the Earth and of water.
Under the original definitions:
Meter was defined to be one ten-millionth the distance from the equator to the North
Pole, along a line of longitude passing through Paris.
Kilogram was defined as the mass of 0.001 m3 of water.
Second was defined as 1/86,400 the length of a day.
Ampere is related to electrical properties, ultimately relating to the kilogram, meter,
and second.
Kelvin was defined in terms of the thermodynamics properties of water, as well as
absolute zero.
Candela was defined by the luminous properties of molten tungsten.
Mole is defined by the density of the carbon-12 nucleus.

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