What is Physics and it’s Contribution Towards Technology

In this post, we will study about the meaning of physics, branches of physics and it’s Contribution Towards Technology and society. So let’s get begin with a short introduction about physics.

Introduction of Physics

We are living in the age of science. The cellphone, television, computer, e-mail, internet, audio-video system, e-mail, car, bus, train… all are the gifts of science to humans. Every field of human activity, is influenced by science.

The word science comes from the Latin verb ‘Scientia’ meaning ‘to know’. Science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge. This system uses observation and experimentation to describe and explain the natural phenomena.

The term science also refers to the organised body of knowledge, people have gained using that system. Less formally, the word ‘science’ often describes any systematic field of study or the knowledge gained from it.Fields of science are commonly classified along two major lines:

Natural Sciences: the study of the natural world. Social Sciences: the systematic study of human behaviour and society.

The science that deals with non living things is called Physical Science e.g., Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Astronomy, Oceanology, Astrology, Geography etc.The science that deal with living things is called Biological Science. For example, Zoology, Botany, Anthropology, Entomology, Forensic Science etc

What is Physics?

We are surrounded by physics all the time, and whether we realize it or not, we use physics everyday.Physics the study of matter and energy, is an ancient and broad field of science.

The word ‘Physics’ comes from the Greek word ‘Fusis’ meaning ‘Knowledge of nature’ and in general, the field aims to analyze and understand the natural phenomena of the universe.

Though, there are many definitions of physics, yet it can be defined as, “The study of the properties of matter, energy and their mutual relationship.”

Scope and Expansion of Physics

Physics is the branch of science, which deals with the properties of matter and energy and the relationship between them. It also tries to explain the material world and the natural phenomena of the universe. The scope of physics is very wide and vast. It deals with not only the tinniest particle of atoms but it also dwells upon the natural phenomenon like galaxy, milky way, solar and lunar eclipse etc.

Branches of Physics: Physics is broadly classified into two parts. (A) Classical physics (B) Modern physics.

For your Information

1. Macroscopic physics : Under the macroscopic physics comes the astronomical and earth related incidents. The principles of classical mechanics clearly define macroscopic physics.

2. Microscopic physics : Microscopic physics cover the molecular, atomic and nuclear incidents. Quantum mechanics is studied to understand the microscopic physics.

3. Mesocopic physics : It is a subdiscipline of condensed matter physics that deals with materials of an intermediate length. The scale of these materials can be described as being between the size of a quantity of atoms (such as a molecule) and of materials measuring micrometers.

(A) Classical physics : Classical physics includes the traditional branches and topics that were recognized and fairly well developed before beginning of the 20th century. It is mainly concerned with the laws of motion and gravitation by Sir Isaac Newton and a kinetic theory and thermodynamic by James Clark Maxwell.

Classical physics is mainly concerned with matter and energy. In this branch, energy and matter are considered as separate entities. Classical mechanics, Optics, Acoustics and Electromagnetics are the traditional branches of classical physics.

(i) Mechanics : Mechanics is the study of physics of motion and how it relates to the applied forces. It lays the foundation of understanding the world around us through the question of how and why a thing moves.

(ii) Thermodynamics : Thermodynamics is the branch of physics, which deals with the study of heat and its relation with energy and work. This branch also deals with the study of gaseous systems. The change in temperature, internal energy and entropy of the system through external work are investigated. Modes of transfer of heat, efficiency of heat engines and refrigerators are also included in thermo–dynamics.

(iii) Electromagnetism: Electromagnetism is a branch of physics involving the study of electricity, magnetic effect and electromagnetic waves i.e., it deals with the study of electromagnetic force, a type of physical interaction that occurs between electrically charged particles. The electromagnetic force usually exhibits electromagnetic field such as the electric field, the magnetic field and light.

(iv) Acoustics: The word acoustics has been derived from a Greek word ‘akouen’, meaning to hear’. Hence we can define acoustics as a branch of physics, which studies how sound is produced, transmitted, received and controlled. It also deals with the effects of sounds in various mediums i.e., gases, liquids and solids.

(v) Optics: Optics involves the study of various phenomena connected with light and optical instruments like microscope, telescope etc. The topics studied in optics include images formed by lenses and mirrors, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, dispersion and polarization of light.

(B) Modern physics: Modern physics is the branch of physics, which is mainly concerned with the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Albert Einstein and Max Plank were the pioneers of modern physics.

(i) Relativity: Relativity is concerned with the study of those bodies that move with the speed almost same as the speed of light.

(ii) Quantum Mechanics : In quantum mechanics, we study the about modern principles of physics, dual nature of light and particles etc.

(iii) Atomic Physics: Atomic physics is the branch of physics which deals with the composition of atom apart from nucleus. It is mainly concerned with the arrangement and behaviour of electrons in shells around the nucleus.

(iv) Nuclear Physics: Nuclear physics is the branch of physics which deals with constituents, structure, behaviour and interaction of atomic nuclei. In the modern age, nuclear physics has got a very wide scope. It is used in power generation, nuclear weapons, medicines etc.

Apart from these branches, there are many branches of physics. Some of them are… Bio Physics, Electronics, Plasma-Physics, High Energy Physics, Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Physics, Solid State Physics, Environmental Physics, Computational Physics, Polymer Physics, Materials Physics and Cryogenics.

Contribution of Physics in Technology and Science

Physics is making a tremendous contribution to the social progress of mankind and hardly any branch of science can sustain and progress without making use of the techniques of modern physics.

Physics is the most basic of all the sciences and it has played a very important role in the developement of other sciences as Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography and Seismology. Biological sciences have also been benefited by advancement in physics. Optical microscope and electron microscope has made it possible to see the structure of a cell. Some of the applications in physics based on modern technology are:

(i) The discovery of electromagnetic induction by Faraday can be regarded as one of those great scientific discoveries, which have not only benefited the common man but have formed the basis of the technology.

(ii) Radio, television, fax, wireless etc. are based on the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The study of satellites has made it possible to forecast weather very accurately.

(iii) Discovery of X-ray has immense use in medical science.

(iv) The discovery of nuclear fission has proved to be a tremendous source of energy. In nuclear power station and nuclear bombs, a large amount of energy becomes available due to conversion of mass into energy.

(v) Flight of aircrafts is based on Bernoulli’s principles.

(vi) Conversion of heat energy into mechanical work has lead us to design diesel engine, petrol engine steam engine etc. These are based on the laws of thermodynamics.

Physics in relation to Society: The fate of society is intimately linked to physics. It is because, whatever is thought or discovered in physics, it immediately affects the society. The advancement in the field of communication, such as telephone, teleprinter and telex enables us to quickly exchange messages between far off places.

The radio and television have made it possible to instantly communicate with other parts of the world. Silicon chip technology has triggered the computer revolution, in last three decades of the twentieth century.

Requirement of measurement in physics

For the description of any natural phenomenon, measurement of the involved quantities is important. We realise the need of measurement, in every physical situation.

PFor example, when an apple falls from a tree it falls freely on the surface of the earth. In this situation, one may want to know with what velocity the apple reaches the ground, in how much time does it reach the ground etc. To know these, one must know how to measure distance and time.

Electric bulb is commonly used. It glows by consuming electric energy. The measurement of energy consumed is very important. When we feel unwell, we measure the temperature from a thermometer. Blood pressure, heart beat etc. are also measured primarily.