Introduction to

Physics
[Science, Physics, Branches of Physics,
Role of Physics in Science & Tech]
 Introduction to Physics
• What is Science? • Science:
• How the • The knowledge gained through observations and
knowledge of experimentations is know as science.
Science is divided? • It comes up with human thinking and wondering,
• It is also called natural philosophy,
• An organized study and understanding of nature.
• Division of Science:
• There was a huge increase in the volume of
science up till the beginning of 19th century.
• It was classified into two branches:
• Biological Sciences,
• Physical Sciences.
 Introduction to Physics
• What are Biological • Biological Sciences:
Sciences? • It deals with the study of living things.
• What are Physical • Biology, botany and zoology are main subjects
Sciences? • Physical Sciences:
• What are • It deals with the study of non-living things.
fundamental • Physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology are the
Sciences? main subjects.
• Fundamental Sciences:
• The basic sciences which provides a foundation for
other physical sciences.
• Physics, chemistry, mathematics, geography are
called the fundamental sciences.
 Introduction to Physics…
• What are the main • Main Frontiers of Fundamental Sciences:
frontiers of • There are three main frontiers of fundamental
fundamental science science:
• The world of extremely large objects,
• the universe itself,
• Radio telescopes have recently detected the “firelight”
of the big bang which probably started of the
expanding universe nearly 20 billion years ago.
• The world of extremely small objects,
• particles like electron, proton, neutron, mesons etc.
• The world of middle-sized things.
• From molecules one extreme to the Earth at the other
• It is also called the world of “Complex Matter”.
 Introduction to Physics…
• What is physics? • Physics:
• It deals with the study of matter, energy and their
mutual relationship.
• Matter: all that have mass and occupy space.
• It exists in four different states; namely
• Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma
• Energy: the ability of a body to do work.
• It is measured in joules, ergs, calories etc.
• Physics is derived from
• Greek word physikos, which is concerned with
all aspects of nature on both the macroscopic
and submicroscopic levels.
 Introduction to Physics…
• Study of physics • The study of physics involves investigating things like;
involves? • The laws of motion,
• New disciplines in • The structure of space and time,
physics?
• The nature and type of forces that hold different
materials together,
• The interaction between different particles,
• The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with
matter and so on.
• New disciplines in physics:
• By the end of 19th century:
• Scientists believe everything about physics has
been discovered.
 Introduction to Physics…
• New disciplines in • Beginning of 20th century:
physics? • Many new experimental facts revealed that the
laws formulated by previous investigators need
modifications.
• Further researches gave birth to many new disciplines
in physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics
• Theories of Relativity
• Special theory of relativity (1905)
• General theory of relativity (1916)
• Solid State Physics
 Introduction to Physics…
• What is Nuclear • Nuclear physics:
Physics? • It deals with the properties and behaviour of
• What is Particle nuclei and the particles within the nuclei.
Physics? • Particle physics:
• What is relativistic • It deals with the ultimate particles of which the
Mechanics? matter is composed.
• What is solid state • Relativistic mechanics:
physics?
• It deals with velocities approaching to that of
light.
• Solid state physics:
• It is concerned with the structure and properties
of solids.
 Introduction to Physics…
• Physics and other • Physics is most fundamental of all sciences and
disciplines? provides;
• Mixed branches of • branches of science,
physics? • basic principles and fundamental laws.
• The overlapping of physics and other fields gave birth
to new branches such as:
• Astrophysics • Medical physics
• Biophysics • Physical
• Chemical physics oceanography
• Engineering physics • Physics of music
• Geophysics
• Health physics
 Introduction to Physics…
• What is the role of • Physics plays an important role in the development of
physics in: technology and engineering
• science and
technology? • Science and technology:
• Telecommunication? • Potent force to change the outlook of mankind
• Information • Telecommunication:
technology?
• Fast means of communication,
• Information and social media
• Fast internet by fiber optics
• Planet: Global village
• Information technology:
• Computer networks,
• Microprocessors, chips: basic ideas of physics
• Chips are made of silicon, silicon is obtained from sand.
 Introduction to Physics…!
• Summary • Science is the knowledge about living or non-living
things gained through observations and experiments
• Physics deals with the study of interaction of matter
and energy
• Physics is one of the fundamental sciences
• Physics plays an important role in the development of
technology and engineering
• Science and technology are a potent force for change
in the outlook of mankind
• We are living in the age of information technology
• Computer networks are products of chips made from
silicon that is obtained from sand.
 Thank you very much…!!!
Next Lecture
Physical Quantities
(Base Quantities, Derived Quantities with examples)