What are the 15 Branches of Physical Science?

Physical science is all about finding out how the world around us works and how it reacts to our actions. It is a science that deals with the physical aspects of the earth and universe. Physical science includes the study of matter, energy, and force. In order to learn about physical science, you will need to study various topics such as mechanics, energy, and electricity. In this short guide, we will break down the 15 branches of Physical Science.

What are the 15 Branches of Physical Science?

The 15 branches of Physical Science are the following:

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geology 
• Astrometry 
• Nuclear physics
• Plasma physics
• Quantum physics
• Photometry
• Spectroscopy
• Electrochemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Geochemistry
• Hydrogeology
• Oceanography
• Selenography

What is Physical Science?

Physical science is the study of the non-living components of the universe. It is the study of the properties of matter and energy. It is also a branch of science that studies motion, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and other forces. 

Physical science is the study of the inorganic world. It includes the study of movement, heat, light, electricity, and magnetism. It is a broad area of study that encompasses many different areas such as astronomy, chemistry, and physics. 

Physical science is mostly concerned with how objects interact with one another and the forces that hold them together. It also studies how the universe works on a large scale and how it has evolved.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter, at its most basic level. Chemistry is the science of how materials react with each other and with energy. Chemistry helps us understand how things change, how they react, and how they work. 

In order to better understand chemistry, we need to understand the different types of chemical reactions. Chemical reactions are what happen when two or more substances interact with each other and the environment.

Physics

Physics is the study of matter and energy, their interactions, and the forces that act on them.It is not only used in everyday life but it is also used in scientific research to make discoveries about the physical world.

Physics is an extremely broad subject that includes, but is not limited to, mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and even astronomy.

Geology 

Geology is the study of Earth’s materials, structure, history, and processes. Geologists study rocks, minerals, fossils, and how they were formed. 

Geologists can also study how natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides occur. It can be done in many different ways, including field work, lab work, computer modeling, and more. Geology is a science that can be applied to many different fields of study, including the fields of engineering, medicine, and education.

Astrometry 

Astrometry is the science of measuring the positions and movements of stars and other celestial objects. It is a branch of astronomy that uses instruments to measure angles between objects in the sky. This can be used to determine the exact positions of stars, planets, and other objects in the solar system.

Nuclear physics

Nuclear physics is the study of the atomic nucleus, which consists of protons and neutrons. The nucleus is the most dense and smallest part of an atom, but it has a huge impact on the behavior of the atom as a whole.

Nuclear physics also deals with radioactive decays and nuclear reactions. Nuclear physics has many applications in medicine, industry, and defense.

Plasma physics

Plasma physics is the study of the physical and chemical properties of plasma. It is a branch of physics which deals with the behavior of electrically charged particles, ions and atoms in gases, liquids and solids. 

The first experiment to study plasma was conducted by Michael Faraday in 1831. Plasma is the fourth state of matter, after solid, liquid, and gas.

Quantum physics

Quantum physics is the study of the nature of matter and energy on the scale of the very small (the size of atoms and subatomic particles). Quantum physics is used to describe the behavior of individual atoms, molecules, and subatomic particles, as well as light and other electromagnetic radiation. 

Some of the most important concepts in quantum physics are the uncertainty principle, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, and Schrodinger’s cat. 

Photometry

Photometry is the science of measuring light and its intensity. Photometry is used in many fields such as astronomy, photography, biology, and engineering. 

It is also used in chemistry to measure the amount of light absorbed by a substance. Photometry is used to measure the amount of light that passes through a particular aperture. 

The word “photometry” comes from two Greek words: photo, meaning light, and metron, meaning measure. Photometry is used to measure the intensity of visible light, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and other electromagnetic radiation.

Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy is a physical science that deals with the interaction of light and matter. This includes the study of the interaction of light with atoms, molecules, and their constituent parts. 

It is used to investigate the structure of materials, their chemical composition, and physical properties. Spectroscopy is used in a variety of fields, including chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology, meteorology, and more.

Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that take place in aqueous solutions at the interface between electrodes in an electrical circuit. It is an extremely important branch of chemistry that is used in many industries to create products. 

Electrochemical cells are made up of two electrodes, a cathode and an anode. The electrochemical reactions that take place at the electrodes are the basis for electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and sensors. 

It also has many other applications such as water purification, electroplating, and corrosion prevention. Electrochemistry is a study that has been around for centuries and is still being used today.

Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy is a method of analyzing the interaction between matter and radiation. In this process, the interaction of light with matter is studied to identify chemical composition, physical state, and to identify new materials. 

Spectroscopy is widely used in the study of atomic structure, a technique that allows for the determination of the elemental composition of an unknown sample by measuring the light absorbed or emitted by the sample.

Geochemistry

Geochemistry is the study of the chemical composition of Earth and its rocks. Geochemistry is a branch of earth science that studies how the chemical composition of rocks and minerals change over time. 

Geochemists examine the composition of rocks and minerals in order to answer questions about how Earth’s surface has changed over time, where minerals have come from, and how they have been distributed. Geochemistry also studies how chemical reactions in Earth’s crust have affected the planet’s surface.

Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology is the study of the occurrence, distribution, and movement of water on, in, and below the Earth’s surface. It is a branch of geology which studies the physical and chemical properties of water. 

Hydrogeologists study how water interacts with the Earth and its rocks. It is an interdisciplinary field that deals with water in all its forms and manifestations, including the oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, glaciers, and atmosphere.

Oceanography

Oceanography is the study of the physical and biological ocean. It is an interdisciplinary branch of Earth science that uses observations, research, and mathematical modeling to understand the oceans and seas, their history, their current state, and their future. 

The ocean is a part of Earth’s ecosystem and plays a significant role in shaping our planet’s climate. Oceanographers study the oceans from their surface to their depths, from the motion of the water to its chemistry.

Selenography

Selenography is the scientific mapping of the moon. Selenographers are scientists who use satellite imaging to make detailed maps of the moon and its surface features. 

The goal of selenography is to make more accurate maps of the moon’s features and its surface. It is also called lunar geography.

Conclusion

Physical science is the study of matter and energy. The physical sciences are concerned with understanding how the universe behaves on a large scale and using technology to manipulate the environment and living things. Physical science is a broad and diverse field that encompasses the study of the natural world, from how planets are formed to how the human body works. The physical sciences are important because they are the basis for many technologies that improve human life, such as medicine, computers, engineering, construction, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What are the 15 Branches of Physical Science?

What are the main branches of physical science?

The four main branches of physical science are the following: 

• Astronomy
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Earth sciences

What are some of the topics discussed in physical science?

• Newton Gravity and Classical Mechanics.
• Einstein Relativity and Space-Time.
• Atoms Elements Matter and Chemical Reactions.
• Splitting the Atom and Radioactivity.
• Electricity and Magnetism.

Is physical sciences a good major?

There are many reasons to major in physical sciences, such as the high-paying job market and the importance of the field. 

Reference

Holton, G. (1952). Introduction to concepts and theories in physical science.

Change, I. C. (2013). The physical science basis. Contribution of working group I to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, 1535, 2013.

Physical science. Retrieved from https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/p/Physical_science.htm

Physics | Definition, Types, Topics, Importance, & Facts | Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/physics-science

What are the 20 branches of physical science​ – Brainly.in. Retrieved from https://brainly.in/question/9715293