Physics as the Most Fundamental of the Natural Sciences

Physics is the scientific study of matter and energy and how they interact with each other. This energy can take the form of motion, light, electricity, radiation, gravity... just about anything. Physics deals with matter on scales ranging from subatomic particles (i.e. the particles that make up the atom and the particles that make up those particles) to stars and even entire galaxies.

Physics is the truly universal science that uncovers a picture of the world that is continually changing. It is the rational development of experiments, observations and theories to explain the fundamental structure of all we perceive.

For many students and scientists, Physics is an immensely satisfying intellectual pursuit. In some areas it is a difficult subject, in others easy, but always it is self consistent and able to explain many aspects of nature. The force of gravity that can be demonstrated in the lecture room is the same force that holds the planets in orbit around the sun and that creates black holes, among the most intriguing objects in the Universe

Physics deals with fundamentals the nature of space and time, matter and energy, simplicity and complexity Physics underpins all sciences. Many major developments in chemistry, biology, geology and even medicine have been made by physicists. Physics is also the foundation of much modern technology.

\ пі і кре ental science, physics utilizes the scientific method

to formulate and test hypotheses that arc based <>м observation of the natural World fill |',<>:'I of physics is U) use the icsults of these experiments to formulate scientific laws, usually expressed in the language of matheiiiatu s. which can then be used to predict other phenomena. Because physii. covers so much area, it is divided into several specific fields of study, such as electronics, quantum physics, astronomy, and biophysics.

In a broader sense, physics can be seen as the most fundamental of the natural sciences. Chemistry, for example, can be viewed as a complex application of physics, as' it focuses on the interaction of energy and matter in chemical systems. We also know that biology is, at its heart, an application of chemical properties in living things, which means that it is also, ultimately, ruled by the physical laws.

http://www.physics.usyd.edu au/ http://physics.about.com/htm