Branches of Physics

Science is an extraordinarily vast area of study comprising multifarious branches and different
subjects. Each of the science stream subjects has its own importance in the world at large.
There are three primary subject areas of science, i.e. Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Every
other branch of science is born of these three primary subjects. When it comes to Physics, it is a
vast domain of study in itself with an array of branches to explore. This blog brings you a
comprehensive guide on the prominent branches of Physics you must know about.

What is Physics?
Physics is considered to be one of the primitive subjects and academic disciplines to be
discovered. It encompasses the study of matter, its motion and behaviour along with energy and
force. As a vast discipline, it intersects with many different subjects and disciplines such as
biophysics and quantum chemistry. Physics very often defines a wide range of principles and
methodologies studied by other areas of sciences. It also suggests new areas of research for
other academic fields, even mathematics and philosophy.

What are the main Branches of Physics?

Physics is constituted of many interdisciplinary subjects and branches for those interested in
making a career in this field. Here are all branches of Physics:

1. Classical Physics
2. Modern Physics
3. Nuclear Physics
4. Atomic Physics
5. Geophysics
6. Biophysics
7. Mechanics
8. Acoustics
9. Optics
10. Thermodynamics
11. Astrophysics

Classical Physics
Among the popular branches of physics is classical physics. It primarily deals with different laws
of motion and gravitation. These theories are conceptualized by Sir Isaac Newton and James
Clark. They are Maxwell’s kinetic theory and theory of thermodynamics. This branch of physics
is concerned with matter and energy. Classical Physics can simply be termed as Physics which
dates back to 1900 and before. Everything that comes under the discipline of physics after that
era, that is after 1900, is considered to be modern physics. In classical physics, energy and
matter are dealt with separately. As a general belief, the theories which are termed invalid in
modern physics is immediately considered to be a part of classical physics.

Modern Physics
Modern Physics is primarily centred around the two theories of relativity and quantum
mechanics. Albert Einstein and Max Plank are the pioneers of this branch of physics. They were
the first to propound the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Unlike the classical branch
of Physics, the branch of modern physics doesn't consider energy and matter as different
entities. Here they are only called the two different forms of each other.

Nuclear Physics
This is a branch of physics that is concerned with the constituents, structure, behaviour and
interactions of atomic nuclei. This branch of physics is different from that of atomic physics.
Latter studies the atom, including its electrons. In contemporary times, nuclear physics has
become a very broad area of study and extended its scope manifolds. Methodologies and
principles of this subject are applied to other academic and research areas. It is used in power
generation, nuclear weapons, magnetic resonance, imaging, medicines, industrial and
agricultural isotopes.

Atomic Physics
Another in the list of branches of physics is Atomic physics. It is concerned with the composition
of the atom apart from the nucleus. It is primarily concerned with studying and understanding
the behaviour of electrons in the shells around the nucleus. This branch of physics deals with
electrons, ions, and neutral atoms. Among the first and foremost forays into atomic physics was
a recognition that all matter is comprised of atoms. The beginning of atomic physics is
associated with the discovery of spectral lines. This discovery gave way for an entirely new
understanding of the structure of atoms and their arrangement.

Mechanical Physics
This is one of the branches of physics that is concerned with understanding the motion of
material objects and how they are influenced by forces. It is also simply called mechanics. It has
two main branches are Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics. Classical mechanics
studies the laws of motion of physical objects. It also deals with the forces that cause the
motion. On the other hand, quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that is primarily
concerned with the behaviour of the smallest particles, like electrons.
Mechanics
Mechanics is a branch of physics that focuses on the movement and motion of physical objects
under a force and when at rest. It studies the relationship between different concepts like force,
matter and motion. Forces applied to objects result in displacements or changes of an object's
position relative to its environment. It studies the law of motion, gravitation, friction,
displacement and concerts like force, energy and power.

Acoustics
Acoustics is a branch of physics that studies sound. It studies the mechanical waves passing
through different forms like gases, liquids and solids. It studies vibrations and focuses on the
production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound. It studies concepts like
vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound.

Optics
Optics is a significant Science branch of physics that studies light and its properties. Optics
focuses on studying behaviour, properties of light, its interactions with matter and the changes in
these behaviours and interactions. The branch studies the behaviour of visible, ultraviolet, and
infrared light. There are two branches within the field, Physical and Geometrical Optics. Physical
is concerned with the nature of light and other attributes while geometrical focuses on light
interactions with lenses, mirrors and other devices.

Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a branch of physics concerned with heat and other forms of energy. It
focuses on the transfer of energy from one form to another. It was introduced in the 19th century
while scientists worked on steam engines. There are three laws of thermodynamics that are the
foundation of the branch.

Astrophysics
Astrophysics is an important branch of physics. Space science is a subset of astronomy that
primarily studies celestial objects and their composition by applying the laws and principles of
physics to explain the phenomenon. The study of astronomy and its branches can be dated
back to Greek philosophers like Aristotle who sought to study space and its components but it
was Galileo and Newton that transformed the tradition of astronomy and its study. The study of
cosmology and planetary science is closely associated with astrophysics and often referred to
as sister sciences.
Top Universities for Physics
If you are planning to study physics on a higher level and work frontline in the field of Physics,
then there are a lot of universities in the world that offer undergraduate, postgraduate and
PhD/Doctoral Degrees in Physics. Here's a list of the top universities for physics in along with
their QS World University Rankings by subject 2021 i.e. Physics:

University QS World University Rankings by

Subject
Massachusetts institute of technology #1
Stanford University #2
Harvard University #3
University of Cambridge #4
University of Oxford #5
University of California- Berkeley #6
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) #7
Princeton University #8
ETH Zurich- Swiss Federal Institute of #9
Technology
University of Tokyo #10

Career Scope

Branches of Physics Careers

Classical Physics Scientist

and Modern Physics Consulting Physicist
Technical Assistant
Radiologist Assistant
Lab Technician
Supervisor
Research Assistant
Professor

Nuclear Physics Professor

Nuclear Physicist

Atomic Physics Atomic physicist

Molecular physicist

Geophysics Geophysicist

Biophysics Biophysicist
Mechanics Rheologist

Acoustics Acoustic Consultant

Acoustician
Acoustic Engineer

Optics Optical and radio astronomer

Optical astronomer
Optical physicist
Optical scientist

Thermodynamics Thermodynamics scientist

Thermodynamics physicist
Thermodynamicist
Product Development Scientist

Astrophysics Galactic astronomer

Cosmologists
Galactic, planetary, solar, and stellar astronomer
High-energy astrophysicist
Planetary astronomer
Radio astronomers