Physics is considered to be the most fundamental of all the sciences. Physics has many sub-fields, and in today's world it involves interdisciplinary fields. In order to study biology, chemistry, or any other natural science, one should have a firm understanding of the principles of physics. For example, biology uses the physics principles of fluid movement to understand how the blood flows through the heart, arteries, and veins. Chemistry relies on the physics of subatomic particles to understand why chemical reactions take place. Geology uses the physics of seismic waves and energy transfer to determine the magnitude and location of earthquakes. Astronomy and cosmology rely on the laws of physics such as the theory of relativity to describe the workings of the universe. Some fields of physics are given below.
Biophysics is the study of various characteristics and systems of the living body. Fluid dynamics of blood flow and respiration, radiation in diagnostics and treatment, etc., are studied in biophysics.
Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere. It deals with celestial objects (such as the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the stars), space, and the physical universe as a whole. To study astronomy, astronomers have to stay up late at night to see the celestial objects with the help of a powerful telescope.
Astrophysics is the study of the physical nature of stars and other celestial bodies, and the application of the laws and theories of physics to the interpretation of astronomical observations. An Astrophysicist investigates astronomical events such as the formation of stars, planets, and galaxies to learn more about the universe.
Cosmology is the study of the origin, development, structure, history, and future of the entire universe. Cosmology spans the entire universe from birth to death, with a wealth of mysteries at every stage.
Thermal physics is the collective study of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and kinetic theory of gases.
Optics is the branch of physics that studies the nature and properties of light, its interactions with matter, and the construction of instruments that use or detect it.
Nuclear physics is the study of the structure, properties, and behavior of atomic nuclei.
Particle physics (or high energy physics) is the study of fundamental particles and forces that create matter and radiation.
Electromagnetism is a branch of physics in which we study the electromagnetic forces between electrically charged particles.
Acoustics is the branch of physics that deals with the production, transmission, control, reception, and effects of sound.
Computational physics is the study and implementation of numerical analysis to solve complex problems in physics. Computational physics combines computer science, physics, and applied mathematics to develop scientific solutions to complex problems.
Geophysics is the branch of physics in which we study the structure of the Earth, physical processes, and phenomena occurring especially in the Earth and in its vicinity.
Climate physics is the branch of physics that deals with the study of the Earth's climate.
Classical mechanics is the branch of physics in which we study the motion of macroscopic objects under the action of forces.
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics in which we study the mathematical description of motion and behavior of microscopic particles under different situations.
Relativistic mechanics is the branch of physics in which we study the system of bodies whose relative velocities approach the speed of light, or whose kinetic energies are comparable with the product of their masses and the square of the velocity of light.
A physicist is a scientist who specializes in any field of physics, which covers the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe. Physicists conduct in-depth research on different topics.