- This is a discussion of a present category of science. For the work by Aristotle, see Physics . For a history of the science, see History of physics. For the etymology of the word physics, see physis (φύσις).
levitating above a high-temperature superconductor demonstrates the Meissner effect.]]Physics is the science of matter[R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, M. Sands (1963), The Feynman Lectures on Physics, ISBN 0-201-02116-1 Hard-cover. p.1-1 Feynman begins 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. ..." vol. I p. I-2]and its motion,[James Clerk Maxwell (1876), Matter and Motion. Notes and appendices by Joseph Larmor. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which relates to the order of nature, or, in other words, to the regular succession of events". p.1]["Give me matter and motion, and I will construct the universe." --Rene Descartes (1596-1650)] as well as space and time.[ Inquiring Minds][E.F. Taylor, J.A. Wheeler (2000), Exploring Black Holes: Introduction to General Relativity, ISBN 0-201-38423-X Hard-cover. Back cover: "Spacetime tells matter how to move; mass tells spacetime how to curve."]It uses concepts such as energy, force, mass, and charge. Physics is an experimental science,[H.D. Young & R.A. Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics: 11th Edition: International Edition (2004), Addison Wesley. Chapter 1, section 1.1, page 2 has this to say: "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 well established and of broad use, physical laws or principles."] creating theories that are tested against observations. Broadly, it is the general scientific analysis of nature, with a goal of understanding how the universe behaves.[Steve Holzner, Physics for Dummies (2006), Wiley. Chapter 1, page 7 says: "Physics is the study of your world and the world and universe around you." See Amazon Online Reader: Physics For Dummies (For Dummies(Math & Science)), last viewed 24 Nov 2006.][Site] Physics.org Searchable database of resources from the Institute of Physics which matches user queries to handpicked sites. Also includes Physics Life animation. www.physics.org
Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines. It emerged as a modern science in the 17th century,[Francis Bacon (1620), Novum Organum was critical in the development of scientific method.] and through its modern subfield of astronomy, it may be the oldest of all.[Evidence exists that the earliest civilizations dating back to beyond 3000BC, such as the Sumerians, Ancient Egyptians, and the Indus Valley Civilization, all had a predictive knowledge and a basic understanding of the motions of the Sun, Moon, and stars.] Those who work professionally in the field are known as physicists. [News] Physics a tricky science at Hudson High School While kids dressed as ghosts, witches and monsters will be out in search of treats tonight, Hudson High School students supplied the tricks last night during the school's third annual Haunted Physics Lab.
Advances in physics often translate to the technological sector, and sometimes influence the other sciences, as well as mathematics and philosophy. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism have led to the widespread use of electrically driven devices (televisions, computers, home appliances etc.); advances in thermodynamics led to the development of motorized transport; and advances in mechanics led to the development of calculus, quantum chemistry, and the use of instruments such as the electron microscope in microbiology. [Image]  How do we see a limited use of multi-track in UM, particularly in its use of narration? Cartoon Guide to Physics (a CDROM based on Larry Gonick's cartoon book introduction):
Today, physics is a broad and highly developed subject. Research is often divided into four subfields: condensed matter physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; high-energy physics; and astronomy and astrophysics. Most physicists also specialize in either theoretical or experimental research, the former dealing with the development of new theories, and the latter dealing with the experimental testing of theories and the discovery of new phenomena. Despite important discoveries during the last four centuries, there are a number of unsolved problems in physics, and many areas of active research. [Video] Vignette 8: Solving the puzzle
Branches of Physics
physics encompasses a wide variety of phenomena, the fundamental branches of physics are classical mechanics, electromagnetism (including optics), relativity, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics. Each of these theories has been tested in numerous experiments and proven to be an accurate model of nature within its domain of validity. For example, classical mechanics correctly describes the motion of objects in everyday experience, but it breaks down at the atomic scale, where it is superseded by quantum mechanics, and at speeds approaching the speed of light, where relativistic effects become important. While these theories have long been well-understood, they continue to be areas of active research — for example, a remarkable aspect of classical mechanics known as chaos theory was developed in the 20th century, three centuries after the original formulation of mechanics by Isaac Newton (1642–1727). The basic theories form a foundation for the study and research of more specialized topics. A table of these theories, along with many of the concepts they employ, can be found here.[Auction] 1643 SCIENCE PHYSICS CHEMISTRY MEDICINE MAGNETISM  Only $800.0
Classical mechanics
uses the principle of mechanical advantage so that a small force over a large distance can lift a heavy weight over a shorter distance.]][Post] Fibonacci Tattoo: Ever-increasing physics mania Don’t think that I’m going to discuss the boring physics and mathematics formulae out here. Just wanted to share a cool Fibonacci Tattoo with all you guys. Bones is the artist of this extraordinary tattoo and it adorns Bo, ... Classical mechanics is a model of the physics of forces acting upon bodies. It is often referred to as "Newtonian mechanics" after Isaac Newton and his laws of motion. Mechanics is subdivided into statics, which models objects at rest, kinematics, which models objects in motion, and dynamics, which models objects subjected to forces. The classical mechanics of continuous and deformable objects is continuum mechanics, which can itself be broken down into solid mechanics and fluid mechanics according to the state of matter being studied. The latter, the mechanics of liquids and gases, includes hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, pneumatics, aerodynamics, and other fields. [Book] Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel Doubleday
Classical mechanics produces accurate results within the domain of everyday experience. It is superseded by relativistic mechanics for systems moving at large velocities near the speed of light, quantum mechanics for systems at small distance scales, and relativistic quantum field theory for systems with both properties. Nevertheless, classical mechanics is still useful, because it is much simpler and easier to apply than these other theories, and it has a very large range of approximate validity. Classical mechanics can be used to describe the motion of human-sized objects (such as tops and baseball), many astronomical objects (such as planets and galaxies), and certain microscopic objects (such as organic molecules). [Site] The Physics Classroom Physics tutorial for high school students covering Newton's Laws, energy and power, waves, light, and more. www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/BBoard.html
An important concept of mechanics is the identification of conserved energy and momentum, which lead to the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian reformulations of Newton's laws. Theories such as fluid mechanics and the kinetic theory of gases result from applying classical mechanics to macroscopic systems. A relatively recent result of considerations concerning the dynamics of nonlinear systems is chaos theory, the study of systems in which small changes in a variable may have large effects. Newton's law of universal gravitation, formulated within classical mechanics, explained Kepler's laws of planetary motion and helped make classical mechanics an important element of the Scientific Revolution. [News] ASU physics students win research honors Four Angelo State University physics students won research presentation awards from the fall joint meeting of the Texas and Four Corners sections of the American Physical Society, Texas Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and Zones 13 and 16 of the Society of Physics Students.
Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism describes the interaction of charged particles with electric and magnetic field. It can be divided into electrostatics, the study of interactions between charge at rest, and electrodynamics, the study of interactions between moving charges and radiation. The classical theory of electromagnetism is based on the Lorentz force law and Maxwell's equations.[Image]  more Physics
Electrostatics is the study of phenomena associated with charged bodies at rest. As described by Coulomb’s law, such bodies exert forces on each other. Their behavior can be analyzed in terms of the concept of an electric field surrounding any charged body, such that another charged body placed within the field is subject to a force proportional to the magnitude of its own charge and the magnitude of the field at its location. Whether the force is attractive or repulsive depends on the polarity of the charge. Electrostatics has many applications, ranging from the analysis of phenomena such as thunderstorms to the study of the behavior of electron tubes. [Video] Far Cry 2 - Engine explosions!
Electrodynamics is the study of phenomena associated with charge bodies in motion and varying electric and magnetic fields. Since a moving charge produces a magnetic field, electrodynamics is concerned with effects such as magnetism, electromagnetic radiation, and electromagnetic induction, including such practical applications as the electric generator and the electric motor. This area of electrodynamics, known as classical electrodynamics, was first systematically explained by James Clerk Maxwell, and Maxwell’s equations describe the phenomena of this area with great generality. A more recent development is quantum electrodynamics, which incorporates the laws of quantum theory in order to explain the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter. Dirac, Heisenberg, and Pauli were pioneers in the formulation of quantum electrodynamics. Relativistic electrodynamics accounts for relativistic corrections to the motions of charged particles when their speeds approach the speed of light. It applies to phenomena involved with particle accelerators and electron tubes carrying high voltages and current. [Auction] Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt (2001) Only $23.64 Electromagnetism encompasses various real-world electromagnetic phenomena. For example, light is an oscillating electromagnetic field that is radiated from accelerating charged particles. Aside from gravity, most of the forces in everyday experience are ultimately a result of electromagnetism. [Post] Using 2D space to explore physics, biology, engineering, and ... The Idea. As a volunteer engineer for Discover “E,” I spoke to many classrooms about engineering, working in technical fields, and getting into colleges. One of my messages was that most jobs involve problem solving and that the ability ... The principles of electromagnetism find applications in various allied disciplines such as microwaves, antenna, electric machines, satellite communications, bioelectromagnetics, plasma, nuclear research, fiber optics, electromagnetic interference and compatibility, electromechanical energy conversion, radar meteorology, and remote sensing. Electromagnetic devices include transformers, electric relays, radio/TV, telephones, electric motors, transmission lines, waveguides, optical fibers, and lasers. [Book] Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines W. W. Norton
Relativity
space probe (artist's impression): radio signals sent between the Earth and the probe (green wave) are delayed by the warpage of space and time (blue lines).]][Site] Physics Central Targeted at non-scientists and created by the American Physical Society. Regular features include news, ask an expert, pictures, current research, people, and links. www.physicscentral.com
Relativity is a generalization of classical mechanics that describes fast-moving or very massive systems. It includes special and general relativity. [News] Physics and music focus of Isotone at AMSE A collaboration of music and physics will be demonstrated and performed during the Isotone Concert, created and performed by Scott Eddlemon on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the American Museum of Science and Energy auditorium in Oak Ridge.
The theory of special relativity was proposed in 1905 by Albert Einstein in his article "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies". The title of the article refers to the fact that special relativity resolves an inconsistency between Maxwell's equations and classical mechanics. The theory is based on two postulates: (1) that the mathematical forms of the laws of physics are invariant in all inertial systems; and (2) that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and independent of the source or observer. Reconciling the two postulates requires a unification of space and time into the frame-dependent concept of spacetime. [Image]  Ah, the wonders of photography. You have a plasma ball for ages, then one day you start photographing it and ideas start to happen. On the one hand, I feel I should explain all but then since I've just come from seeing 'The Prestige', should a photographic magician reveal all his tricks? Well, let's just say that a little Photoshop may have been involved, but that's hardly a surprise now, is it?
Special relativity has a variety of surprising consequences that seem to violate common sense, but all have been experimentally verified. It overthrows Newtonian notions of absolute space and time by stating that distance and time depend on the observer, and that time and space are perceived differently, depending on the observer. The theory leads to the assertion of change in mass, dimension, and time with increased velocity. It also yields the equivalence of matter and energy, as expressed in the mass-energy equivalence formula E = mc2', where c is the speed of light in a vacuum. Special relativity and the Galilean relativity of Newtonian mechanics agree when velocities are small compared to the speed of light. Special relativity does not describe gravitation; however, it can handle accelerated motion in the absence of gravitation.[{{Citation | last = Taylor | first = Edwin F.| last2 = Wheeler | first2 = John Archibald | author2-link = John Archibald Wheeler| title = Spacetime Physics | publisher = W.H. Freeman and Company | year = 1966| location = San Francisco | isbn = 0-7167-0336-X}}See, for example, The Relativistic Rocket, Problem #58, page 141, and its worked answer. ] [Video] WHY THE TRILLION $ BAILOUT WON'T WORK !!!!
General relativity is the geometrical theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1915/16.[ ] It unifies special relativity, Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the insight that gravitation can be described by the curvature of space and time. In general relativity, the curvature of space-time is produced by the energy of matter and radiation. General relativity is distinguished from other metric theories of gravitation by its use of the Einstein field equations to relate space-time content and space-time curvature. Local Lorentz Invariance requires that the manifolds described in GR be 4-dimensional and Lorentzian instead of Riemannian. In addition, the principle of general covariance forces that mathematics be expressed using tensor calculus. [Auction] Patrick Moore's ARMCHAIR ASTRONOMY Astrophysics Physics Only $10.0 The first success of general relativity was in explaining the anomalous perihelion precession of Mercury. Then in 1919, Sir Arthur Eddington announced that observations of stars near the eclipsed Sun confirmed general relativity's prediction that massive objects bend light. Since then, many other observations and experiments have confirmed many of the predictions of general relativity, including gravitational time dilation, the gravitational redshift of light, signal delay, and gravitational radiation. In addition, numerous observations are interpreted as confirming one of general relativity's most mysterious and exotic predictions, the existence of black holes. [Post] Physics and Probability Jaynes in the field of statistical physics, quantum optics, and probability theory has had a significant and lasting effect on the study of many physical problems, ranging from fundamental theoretical questions through to practical ...
Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics
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Thermodynamics studies the effects of changes in temperature, pressure, and volume on physical systems at the macroscopic scale, and the transfer of energy as heat. Historically, thermodynamics developed out of need to increase the efficiency of early steam engines. [Site] Eric Weisstein's World of Physics Definitions of terms from the world of physics. Physics encyclopedia introducing readers to astrophysics, electromagnetism, fluid mechanics, optics, states of mater, ... scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics
The starting point for most thermodynamic considerations are the laws of thermodynamics, which postulate that energy can be exchanged between physical systems as heat or work. They also postulate the existence of a quantity named entropy, which can be defined for any system. In thermodynamics, interactions between large ensembles of objects are studied and categorized. Central to this are the concepts of system and surroundings. A system is composed of particles, whose average motions define its properties, which in turn are related to one another through equations of state. Properties can be combined to express internal energy and thermodynamic potentials, which are useful for determining conditions for equilibrium and spontaneous processes. [News] Baraboo students sell bulbs to raise money for physics program Baraboo High School is participating in the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program's Bright Idea fundraiser to generate awareness of energy efficiency, while raising money for the physics department. There are 100 students selling Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs and this year marks Baraboo High School's second year participating in the Bright Idea fundraiser. According to ...
Statistical mechanics analyzes macroscopic systems by applying statistical principles to their microscopic constituents. It provides a framework for relating the microscopic properties of individual atoms and molecules to the macroscopic or bulk properties of materials that can be observed in everyday life. Thermodynamics can be explained as a natural result of statistics and mechanics (classical and quantum) at the microscopic level. In this way, the gas laws can be derived, from the assumption that a gas is a collection of individual particles, as hard spheres with mass. Conversely, if the individual particles are also considered to have charge, then the individual accelerations of those particles will cause the emission of light. It was these considerations which caused Max Planck to formulate his law of blackbody radiation,[Max Planck (1925), A Survey of Physical Theory derives his law of blackbody radiation in the notes on pp. 115-116, ISBN 0-486-67867-9] but only with the assumption that the spectrum of radiation emitted from these particles is not continuous in frequency, but rather quantized.[Feynman Lectures on Physics, vol I p. 41-6, ISBN 0-201-02010-6] [Image]  Offical poster for the World Year of Physics 2005.
Quantum mechanics
electron orbital shown as cross-sections with color-coded probability density]][Video] Levitron madness
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics treating atomic and subatomic systems and their interaction with radiation in terms of observable quantities. It is based on the observation that all forms of energy are released in discrete units or bundles called "quanta". Remarkably, quantum theory typically permits only probable or statistical calculation of the observed features of subatomic particles, understood in terms of wavefunctions. The Schrödinger equation plays the role in quantum mechanics that Newton's laws and conservation of energy serve in classical mechanics — i.e., it predicts the future behavior of a dynamic system — and is a wave equation in terms of the wavefunction which predicts analytically and precisely the probability of events or outcomes. [Auction] Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku (2008) Only $25.02 According to the older theories of classical physics, energy is treated solely as a continuous phenomenon, while matter is assumed to occupy a specific region of space and to move in a continuous manner. According to the quantum theory, energy is held to be emitted and absorbed in tiny, discrete amounts. An individual bundle or packet of energy, called a quantum (pl. quanta), thus behaves in some situations much like particles of matter; particles are found to exhibit certain wavelike properties when in motion and are no longer viewed as localized in a given region but rather as spread out to some degree. For example, the light, or electromagnetic radiation, emitted or absorbed by an atom has only certain frequencies (or wavelengths), as can be seen from the line spectrum associated with the chemical element represented by that atom. The quantum theory shows that those frequencies correspond to definite energies of the light quanta, or photons, and result from the fact that the electrons of the atom can have only certain allowed energy values, or levels; when an electron changes from one allowed level to another, a quantum of energy is emitted or absorbed whose frequency is directly proportional to the energy difference between the two levels. [Post] Molecular Physics - Join the celebrations! As a previous author or referee we value your loyalty to Molecular Physics. So why not submit a new paper to Molecular Physics in its auspicious 50th year and get a first decision in an average of *26 days*? ... The formalism of quantum mechanics was developed during the 1920s. In 1924, Louis de Broglie proposed that not only do light waves sometimes exhibit particle-like properties, as in the photoelectric effect and atomic spectra, but particles may also exhibit wavelike properties. Two different formulations of quantum mechanics were presented following de Broglie’s suggestion. The wave mechanics of Erwin Schrödinger (1926) involves the use of a mathematical entity, the wave function, which is related to the probability of finding a particle at a given point in space. The matrix mechanics of Werner Heisenberg (1925) makes no mention of wave functions or similar concepts but was shown to be mathematically equivalent to Schrödinger’s theory. A particularly important discovery of the quantum theory is the uncertainty principle, enunciated by Heisenberg in 1927, which places an absolute theoretical limit on the accuracy of certain measurements; as a result, the assumption by earlier scientists that the physical state of a system could be measured exactly and used to predict future states had to be abandoned. Quantum mechanics was combined with the theory of relativity in the formulation of P. A. M. Dirac (1928), which, in addition, predicted the existence of antiparticles. Other developments of the theory include quantum statistics, presented in one form by Einstein and S. N. Bose (the Bose-Einstein statistics) and in another by Dirac and Enrico Fermi (the Fermi-Dirac statistics); quantum electrodynamics, concerned with interactions between charged particles and electromagnetic fields; its generalization, quantum field theory; and quantum electronics. The discovery of quantum mechanics in the early 20th century revolutionized physics, and quantum mechanics is fundamental to most areas of current research. [Book] Media Workbook for Conceptual Physics Media Update Addison Wesley![]()
Research
Theory and experiment
The culture of physics research differs from most sciences in the separation of theory and experiment. Since the twentieth century, most individual physicists have specialized in either theoretical physics or experimental physics. The great Italian physicist Enrico Fermi (1901–1954), who made fundamental contributions to both theory and experimentation in nuclear physics, was a notable exception. In contrast, almost all the successful theorists in biology and chemistry (e.g. American quantum chemist and biochemist Linus Pauling) have also been experimentalists, although this is changing as of late.[Site] Fear of Physics ... explanations for esoteric rules of physics. Offers a physics dictionary, computer graphics and animations that visually explain physics, and a homework help ... www.fearofphysics.com
Theorists seek to develop mathematical models that both agree with existing experiments and successfully predict future results, while experimentalists devise and perform experiments to test theoretical predictions and explore new phenomena. Although theory and experiment are developed separately, they are strongly dependent upon each other. Progress in physics frequently comes about when experimentalists make a discovery that existing theories cannot explain, or when new theories generate experimentally testable predictions. Theorists working closely with experimentalists frequently employ phenomenology. [News] Physics teacher making tough subject fun Amy Durden keeps the fun going on a daily basis at Savannah Arts Academy by providing a relaxed, hands-on environment for her students because she says physics can be tough.
Theoretical physics is closely related to mathematics, which provides the language of physical theories, and large areas of mathematics, such as calculus, have been invented specifically to solve problems in physics. Theorists may also rely on numerical analysis and computer simulations, which play an ever richer role in the formulation of physical models. The fields of mathematical and computational physics are active areas of research. Theoretical physics has historically rested on philosophy and metaphysics; electromagnetism was unified this way.[See, for example, the influence of Kant and Ritter on Oersted.] Thus physicists may speculate with multidimensional spaces and parallel universes, and from this, hypothesize theories. [Image] 
Experimental physics informs, and is informed by, engineering and technology. Experimental physicists involved in basic research design and perform experiments with equipment such as particle accelerators and lasers, whereas those involved in applied research often work in industry, developing technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging and transistors. Feynman has noted that experimentalists may seek areas which are not well explored by theorists. [Video] Cinema 4d cloth physics 2
Research fields
Contemporary research in physics can be broadly divided into condensed matter physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; particle physics; astrophysics; geophysics and biophysics. Some physics departments also support research in Physics education. Since the twentieth century, the individual fields of physics have become increasingly specialized, and today most physicists work in a single field for their entire careers. "Universalists" such as Albert Einstein (1879–1955) and Lev Landau (1908–1968), who worked in multiple fields of physics, are now very rare.[Yet, universalism is encouraged in the culture of physics. For example, the World Wide Web, which was innovated at CERN by Tim Berners-Lee, was created in service to the computer infrastructure of CERN, and was/is intended for use by physicists worldwide. The same might be said for arXiv.org] A table of the major fields of physics, along with their subfields and the theories they employ, can be found here.[Auction] Physics for Future Presidents by Richard A. Muller (... Only $25.02
Condensed matter
atoms, confirming the discovery of a new phase of matter, the Bose–Einstein condensate]][Post] Better Zombies Through Physics 06 Join us for chills, thrills, and pulse-pounding scientific breakthroughs as we embark on a tour of the Quantum Zombie, Inc. facility, courtesy of a guy who bears a striking resemblance to famed scientist and cat-lover Erwin Schrödinger. ... Condensed matter physics is the field of physics that deals with the macroscopic physical properties of matter. In particular, it is concerned with the "condensed" phases that appear whenever the number of constituents in a system is extremely large and the interactions between the constituents are strong. The most familiar examples of condensed phases are solids and liquids, which arise from the bonding and electromagnetic force between atoms. More exotic condensed phases include the superfluid and the Bose-Einstein condensate found in certain atomic systems at very low temperature, the superconducting phase exhibited by conduction electrons in certain materials, and the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases of spin on atomic lattices. [Book] Cracking the SAT Physics Subject Test, 2007-2008 Edition (College Test Prep) Princeton Review
Condensed matter physics is by far the largest field of contemporary physics. Much progress has also been made in theoretical condensed matter physics. By one estimate, one third of all American physicists identify themselves as condensed matter physicists. Historically, condensed matter physics grew out of solid-state physics, which is now considered one of its main subfields. The term condensed matter physics was apparently coined by Philip Anderson when he renamed his research group — previously solid-state theory — in 1967. In 1978, the Division of Solid State Physics at the American Physical Society was renamed as the Division of Condensed Matter Physics. Condensed matter physics has a large overlap with chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology and engineering. [Site] Physics in the Yahoo! Directory Learn about physics, the science of matter and energy. Sites address the major subdisciplines and topics in physics: mechanics, magnetism, light and optics, ... dir.yahoo.com/Science/Physics
Atomic, molecular, and optical
on an optical table.]][News] Physics Dept.’s Soljacic Receives MacArthur for Wireless Electricity By Omar Abudayyeh STAFF REPORTER It started with a vision of self-charging cell phones, Marin Soljacic explained.
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics (AMO) is the study of matter-matter and light-matter interactions on the scale of single atoms or structures containing a few atoms. The three areas are grouped together because of their interrelationships, the similarity of methods used, and the commonality of the energy scales that are relevant. All three areas include both classical and quantum treatments; they can treat their subject from a microscopic view (in contrast to a macroscopic view). [Image]  Click to enlarge ISBN 99909-0-090-6
Atomic physics studies the electron hull of atoms. Current research focuses on activities in quantum control, cooling and trapping of atoms and ions, low-temperature collision dynamics, the collective behavior of atoms in weakly interacting gases (Bose-Einstein Condensates and dilute Fermi degenerate systems), precision measurements of fundamental constants, and the effects of electron correlation on structure and dynamics. Atomic physics is influenced by the nucleus (see, e.g., hyperfine splitting), but intra-nuclear phenomenon such as fission and fusion are considered part of high energy physics. [Video] Tom Clancy's EndWar - WW3 Launch Trailer
Molecular physics focuses on multi-atomic structures and their internal and external interactions with matter and light. Optical physics is distinct from optics in that it tends to focus not on the control of classical light fields by macroscopic objects, but on the fundamental properties of optical fields and their interactions with matter in the microscopic realm. [Auction] NEW The Physics of Organic Superconductors and Condu... Only $189.95
High energy/particle physics
, featuring the appearance of the Higgs boson.]][Post] Pumpkins Prove That Gravity Still Works The fun part of the whole thing is that they had people dressed up as famous scientists - Albert Einstein, Aristotle, Galileo Gallilei and Isaac Newton - to explain the physics of gravity to the audience. ... Particle physics is the study of the elementary constituents of matter and energy, and the interactions between them. It may also be called "high energy physics", because many elementary particles do not occur naturally, but are created only during high energy collisions of other particles, as can be detected in particle accelerators. [Book] Cracking the AP Physics B Exam, 2008 Edition (College Test Prep) Princeton Review
Currently, the interactions of elementary particles are described by the Standard Model. The model accounts for the 12 known particles of matter that interact via the strong, weak, and electromagnetic fundamental forces. Dynamics are described in terms of matter particles exchanging messenger particles that carry the forces. These messenger particles are known as gluons, W− and W+ and Z bosons, and the photons, respectively. The Standard Model also predicts a particle known as the Higgs boson, the existence of which has not yet been verified. [Site] PhysLINK Find physics news, reference materials, societies, journals, new theories, jokes, cartoons, and more. www.physlink.com
Astrophysics
, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field]][News] Best Of Indie Games: Physics Rule [Every week, IndieGames.com: The Weblog editor Tim W. will be summing up some of the top free-to-download and commercial indie games from the last seven days, as well as any notable features on his sister 'state of indie' weblog.] This week on 'Best Of Indie Games', we take a look at some of the top independent PC Flash/downloadable titles released over this last week. The goodies in this ...
Astrophysics and astronomy are the application of the theories and methods of physics to the study of stellar structure, stellar evolution, the origin of the solar system, and related problems of cosmology. Because astrophysics is a broad subject, astrophysicists typically apply many disciplines of physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, nuclear and particle physics, and atomic and molecular physics. [Image]  PHYS 1112 and 2212 Lab Schedule NOTE: Items will be added to this schedule throughout the semester. Please press the Reload button on your browser to make sure you have the latest edition
Astrophysics developed from the ancient science of astronomy. Astronomers of early civilizations performed methodical observations of the night sky, and astronomical artifacts have been found from much earlier periods. After centuries of developments by Babylonian and Greek astronomers, western astronomy lay dormant for fourteen centuries until Nicolaus Copernicus modified the Ptolemaic system by placing the sun at the center of the universe. Tycho Brahe's detailed observations led to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, and Galileo's telescope helped the discipline develop into a modern science. Isaac Newton's theory of universal gravitation provided a physical, dynamic basis for Kepler's laws. By the early 19th cent., the science of celestial mechanics had reached a highly developed state at the hands of Leonhard Euler, J. L. Lagrange, P. S. Laplace, and others. Powerful new mathematical techniques allowed solution of most of the remaining problems in classical gravitational theory as applied to the solar system. At the end of the 19th century, the discovery of spectral lines in sunlight proved that the chemical elements found in the Sun were also found on Earth. Interest shifted from determining the positions and distances of stars to studying their physical composition (see stellar structure and stellar evolution). Because the application of physics to astronomy became increasingly important throughout the 20th century, the distinction between astronomy and astrophysics has faded. [Video] Music Blocks
The discovery by Karl Jansky in 1931 that radio signals were emitted by celestial bodies initiated the science of radio astronomy. Most recently, the frontiers of astronomy have been expanded by space exploration. Perturbations and interference from the earth’s atmosphere make space-based observations necessary for infrared, ultraviolet, gamma-ray, and X-ray astronomy. The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, has made possible visual observations of a quality far exceeding those of earthbound instruments; earth-bound observatories using telescopes with adaptive optics will now be able to compensate for the turbulence of Earth's atmosphere. [Auction] The Flying Circus of Physics by Jearl Walker (2006) Only $36.7 Physical cosmology is the study of the formation and evolution of the universe on its largest scales. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity plays a central role in all modern cosmological theories. In the early 20th century, Hubble's discovery that the universe was expanding, as shown by the Hubble diagram, prompted rival explanations known as the steady state universe and the Big Bang. The Big Bang was confirmed by the success of Big Bang nucleosynthesis and the discovery of the cosmic microwave background in 1964. The Big Bang model rests on two theoretical pillars: Albert Einstein's general relativity and the cosmological principle. Cosmologists have recently established a precise model of the evolution of the universe, which includes cosmic inflation, dark energy and dark matter. [Post] Hubble Space Telescope is alive and clicking, for now Los Angeles Times: The restarted telescope resumes sending pictures. But there's a new snag: A NASA repair team won't be sent to the aging craft until at least May.
Applied physics
Applied physics is a general term for physics which is intended for a particular use. Applied is distinguished from pure by a subtle combination of factors such as the motivation and attitude of researchers and the nature of the relationship to the technology or science that may be affected by the work.[ Stanford Applied Physics Department Description] It usually differs from engineering in that an applied physicist may not be designing something in particular, but rather is using physics or conducting physics research with the aim of developing new technologies or solving a problem. The approach is similar to that of applied mathematics. Applied physicists can also be interested in the use of physics for scientific research. For instance, people working on accelerator physics might seek to build better particle detectors for research in theoretical physics.[Book] Physics Wiley
Physics is used heavily in engineering. For example, statics, a subfield of mechanics, is used in the building of bridges or other structures, while acoustics is used to design better concert halls. An understanding of physics is important to the design of realistic flight simulators, video game physics engines, and movies. [Site] Amusement Park Physics: What are the Forces Behind the Fun? Interactive exhibit exploring how the laws of physics play a role in the design of amusement park rides. www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics
Physics Education
Physics education refers both to the methods currently used to teach physics, and to an area of pedagogical research that seeks to improve those methods. Historically, physics has been taught at the high school and university level primarily by the lecture method, together with laboratory exercises aimed at verifying concepts taught in the lectures.[News] Soil guru gave early warnings on river waters Doctor Tim Marshall, a pioneer in Australian soil physics who warned as early as 1937 that the "misuse" of precious Murray and Darling water for growing cotton and rice was unsustainable, has died in Melbourne. He was 101.
References
[Image]  physics.jpg
Further reading
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- A large number of textbooks, popular books, and webpages about physics are available for further reading.
- Important publications in physics
[Post] Russia insists its nuclear arsenal is secure The Associated Press: Russia insisted Friday its nuclear arsenal is secure, angrily rejecting US allegations that tens of thousands of aging Soviet weapons may not be fully accounted for.
Organizations
- 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
- Physics site
[Book] Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) Wiley
Physical sciencesGreek loanwords [Site] PhysicsWeb Global news and information, including weekly articles, book reviews, jobs, and a buyer's guide. www.physicsweb.org
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[Image]  Engineering Physics at Embry-Riddle Engineering physics at Embry-Riddle stresses the fundamentals of physics, mathematics, and computer design, as it has from the beginning, says Elliot Palmer, professor of physics and former
[Video] 3 Questions: Andy Puckett, Astrophysicist
[Auction] Fundamentals of Physics by David Halliday, Jearl Wal... Only $89.89 [Post] Meteorites give clues to planet formation MSNBC: Ancient rocks contain magnetic records about very early history of planets. [Book] Special Topics in Calamity Physics Penguin (Non-Classics)
[News] Physics senior becomes NASA Student Ambassador Physics senior Phyllis Whittlesey will use her status as a NASA Ambassador to encourage the campus community to look at the stars. She was one of about 52 students nationwide selected for the NASA International Year of Astronomy Student Ambassadors Program.
[Image]  The opening ceremony of The World Year of Physics in Iran was held on March 10 in Vahdat auditorium in Tehran. In this ceremony, speaker of the parliment, several cabinet ministers,
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[Auction] Physics for Entertainment by Yakov Perelman (2008) Only $18.92 [Post] control board power what is the most efficient way to pull voltage off a large dc bus(230-400) to power a control board. |