What are the 15 Branches of Physics?

Physics is the study of the fundamental nature of matter and energy and how they interact with each other. It is a science that has been around for thousands of years, but in recent years it has been taken more seriously and has made great advancements in technology.

This can be seen with the invention of high-speed cameras and lasers. Physics is also a very broad subject, so it can be difficult to know where to start learning about it. This article will answer the question “what are the 15 branches of physics?”

What are the 15 Branches of Physics?

The following are the 15 branches of physics:

• Mechanical physics / Mechanics
• Magnetism
• Electricity and electronics
• Electromagnetism
• Acoustics
• Thermodynamics
• Optics
• Geo physics
• Plasma physics
• Nuclear physics
• Astrophysics
• Modern physics
• Atomic Physics
• Classical Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics

What is Physics?

Physics is the study of matter and energy. It is a branch of science that studies the fundamental nature of the universe and its constituents. 

The word physics comes from the Greek word for nature, physis. Physicists study everything from the smallest particles to the largest structures in nature. 

They also study how energy travels through space and time. Physics is the study of the fundamental interactions of matter and energy that govern how the universe behaves. 

The study of physics includes all behavior of matter and energy, ranging from the large-scale properties of the universe to the infinitesimal properties of subatomic particles. 

It is an umbrella term that covers many branches of science, including astronomy, cosmology, electromagnetism, classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, relativity, and particle physics.

Mechanical physics / Mechanics

Mechanical physics is the study of forces and motion, or how to change motion into force and vice versa. It is the application of physics in engineering and technology. 

It is also one of the oldest branches of physics. Mechanics are the physical laws that govern the movement of objects, including their acceleration, deceleration, and changes in velocity. 

It is the application of physics to problems involving forces and motion. Mechanical engineers design and construct machines, such as cars, airplanes, computers, and robots. They also design and build tools for use in manufacturing, such as machines that help assemble parts for automobiles.

Magnetism

Magnetism is a branch of physics that deals with the effects of magnetic fields on moving objects. It’s important to know that magnetism is not a force, but rather a property of certain materials. 

In order to create magnetism, certain materials are magnetized. In physics, magnetism is the property of matter that produces a magnetic field. 

The magnetic field is produced by moving electric charges in a coil of wire or by moving magnetic materials. The Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field that extends into space.

Electricity and electronics

Electronics is the branch of physics that studies the properties of electricity and electronics. It is a branch of physics because it is about how an object’s motion is changed by an electrical force. 

Electricity is a form of energy that can be transmitted from one object to another through a wire or other conductor. Electronics involve the use of electricity to perform functions such as transmitting and receiving information, or controlling devices such as computers, televisions, and cars.

Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism is the branch of physics that deals with the interaction and electromagnetic forces exerted by electrically charged particles. 

Electromagnetism is responsible for the phenomenon of electric current, the production and use of electric power, and many other phenomena. 

Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental interactions of nature and has a significant impact on modern society. The word “electromagnetism” was coined by Michael Faraday in 1831.

Acoustics

Acoustics is the branch of physics that deals with sound. Acoustics is the study of waves that propagate through a medium such as air, water, or solids. 

The study of acoustics often involves measuring the amplitude of the waves, or their amplitude and frequency. This can be done using a microphone, which detects changes in air pressure by using a diaphragm to divide the air into two parts, one high pressure, and one low pressure.

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that studies heat and energy transfer. It is a physical science that deals with the relations between heat, work, energy, and temperature. 

In Thermodynamics, heat is defined as the random kinetic energy of molecules in a substance. Thermodynamics is most commonly used to understand the conversion of thermal energy into mechanical work, but it can also be used to describe how energy is transferred between two or more bodies.

Optics

Optics is the branch of physics that deals with light and vision. This includes both the behavior of light, such as reflection, refraction, and interference and the way in which we see objects, including the eye itself. 

Optics is a science that is concerned with the way light propagates through space. The study of optics has also led to the discovery of many new phenomena, such as the bending of light by gravity, the nature of light in a vacuum, and the principle of wave-particle duality.

Geo physics

Geophysics is the branch of physics that studies the properties of the Earth and the physical processes taking place in the Earth’s interior, as well as its gravitational field and magnetic field. Geo physics is related to the study of the Earth’s natural processes, including earth science, astronomy, and climate.

Plasma physics

Plasma physics is a branch of physics that deals with the behavior of electrically charged particles in gases. Plasma is the fourth state of matter, the other three being solids, liquids, and gases. 

Plasma is most often generated by heating a gas to a temperature where it becomes ionized. This can occur naturally in the atmosphere or in a plasma globe. In plasma physics, plasma is not considered to be an element, but rather a form of matter that has properties unlike those of any other substance.

Nuclear physics

Nuclear physics is the branch of physics that deals with the interactions of subatomic particles called nucleons and photons. It is a broad field that includes the study of atomic nuclei, electrons, positrons, and the atomic nucleus as well as the energies and particles that make up nuclear reactions. 

Nuclear physicists study how energy and particles behave in the nucleus of an atom, how they interact with each other, and how they are used to create new elements.

Astrophysics

Astrophysics is the branch of physics that deals with the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the universe. It is a science that studies the physical properties of celestial objects. 

Astrophysics also deals with the physical properties of stellar objects as well as the chemical, magnetic, and gravitational properties of interstellar space. 

Astrophysics is also concerned with understanding the physics of stars and stellar objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, and quasars.

Modern physics

Modern physics is the branch of physics that studies the fundamental laws and theories governing the behavior of matter and energy in an objective and quantitative manner without the use of experiments. 

Modern physics began as an offshoot of classical physics, which was the physics of the 17th century.  Modern physics is the branch of physics that studies the physical universe from a modern perspective. 

Atomic Physics

Atomic physics is the branch of physics that studies atomic and subatomic particles. This branch of physics is focused on the study of atoms, molecules, and the chemical bond between atoms. 

Atomic physics is related to nuclear physics because it involves both atomic nuclei and subatomic particles. Atomic physics includes quantum mechanics, which studies the subatomic realm, and nuclear physics, which deals with the structure and properties of atomic nuclei.

Classical Physics

Classical physics is the branch of physics that mainly deals with the physical world. It is a term that is used to describe the physics which were developed before quantum mechanics and relativity. 

Classical physics was created around the 17th century and it is still used today in many disciplines, including astronomy, chemistry, electricity, engineering, and everyday life.

Condensed Matter Physics

Condensed matter physics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior of condensed matter. The study of condensed matter physics includes the investigation of the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases at all length scale from the atomic to the macroscopic. 

Condensed matter physicists study the behavior of objects made up of many atoms, molecules, or particles, such as metals, semiconductors, or plastics.

Conclusion

The study of physics is the study of the behavior of matter and energy and their interactions. In everyday life, people study physics for the purposes of engineering, science, technology, the environment, medicine, and manufacturing. Physics is a branch of science that is concerned with the motion of objects and the forces on them. Physics is the study of how matter reacts to forces. Physics is also the foundation for all fields in the natural sciences such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, and geology.

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

What are the 2 main branches of Physics?

The 2 main branches of physics are Classical Physics and Modern Physics.

Who is the father of physics?

Isaac Newton was a British mathematician, physicist, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian who is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time. Many of his discoveries have become fundamental concepts in science.

What is the basic principle of physics?

The basic principle of physics is the study of matter and energy, which includes the laws that govern the interactions of the two.

Reference

Heisenberg, W. (1971). Physics and beyond (p. 129). London: Allen & Unwin.

Cutnell, J. D., & Johnson, K. W. (2009). Physics. John Wiley & Sons.

Branches Of Physics – Learn all about various Physics Branches. Retrieved from https://byjus.com/physics/branches-of-physics/

Top 12 Branches of Physics to Know for All STEM Students. Retrieved from https://www.stoodnt.com/blog/branches-of-physics/

What Are The Main Branches Of Physics? (Read). Retrieved from https://oxscience.com/branches-of-physics/